DXB City Expert - July/August'18

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TOURS Let those in the know showcase their city

FOOD

Tuck into our edit of the emirate's best eateries

SHOPS

Mega malls, chic boutiques and local designers

ACTIVITIES

Thrills and spills, plus fun for all the family

NIGHTLIFE

Never miss a beat at these lively venues

JULY/AUGUST 2018

YOUR GUIDE TO DUBAI’S MUST-HAVE VISITOR EXPERIENCES

Wanderlust FUN • FOOD • FREEDOM

Brunch

our epic brunch is now enhanced even further with an all new japanese section to please our foodies

AED 425

PER PERSON INCLUDING FOOD & BEVERAGES

Every Friday From 1pm to 4pm

Enjoy a 20% discount on beverages from 4pm to 8pm at the Lust after-party with DJ ANDRII! Age policy: 21 and above Garden restaurant, 5th Floor JW Marriott Marquis Dubai | Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay T +971 4 414 3000 | jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com

WELCOME NOTE

WELCOME TO DUBAI Editorial Editorial Director John Thatcher

W

e know it can feel a little overwhelming when you first set foot in Dubai. How exactly do you explore this ultra-modern metropolis? Where do you start? We love Dubai and we want to ensure that you feel the same, which is why we decided to create this handy-sized, helpful guide to ease you on your way.

Managing Editor Faye Bartle

Designer Jamie Pudsey

Rather than present you with a long list of recommendations that would take you the duration of your holiday to read, our Dubai-based team of in-the-know writers has cherry-picked the city’s best bits, leaving you free to simply enjoy it. From the best restaurants with views to write home about to the boutiques brimming with homegrown designs, the coolest clubs and topnotch family entertainment – it's all inside these pages. We’ll also tell you which of the many organised tours are the best to take to see the city’s ample attractions. All you need to do is enjoy the holiday of a lifetime.

Commercial Managing Director Victoria Thatcher

John Thatcher Editorial Director DXB City Expert

Assistant Editors Radhika Mathur Monica Sharma Art Art Director Kerri Bennett

Group Commercial Director David Wade

101 Dining Lounge and Bar at One&Only The Palm, Dubai

Commercial Director Rawan Chehab Senior Advertising Manager Mia Cachero

Cover image: OliOli, olioli.ae

Production Production Manager Muthu Kumar

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Girls’ Day at Saray Spa. Renew for the journey ahead.

Experience the ultimate in girly indulgence and retreat to the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai for 5-star pampering. Begin your afternoon with a 30-minute Facial or Back Massage followed by a complimentary reflexology session. Afterwards, savour a medley of sweet and savory treats with Afternoon Tea amongst the chic interiors of La Farine.

Daily, AED 300 per person

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai | Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, PO Box 121000, Dubai, UAE T +971 4 414 6754 | mhrs.dxbjw.spa@marriott.com | jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com JW Marriott Marquis Dubai |

@JWDubaiMarquis |

jwmarriottmarquisdubai

*Terms & Conditions: Offer is subject to availability. Advanced booking required. Booking is valid for a group of maximum 6 people.

CONTENTS

THE CONTENTS Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai

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The experts are on hand to help you discover the best bits of Dubai and beyond

Underwater, on the water, on the sand and in the snow: the ways to explore Dubai

SO THIS IS DUBAI

THE TOURS

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Before you embark on the holiday of a lifetime, take this quick history lesson

ON ARRIVAL

THE FOOD

All you need to know when you From fine dining to homegrown touch down in Dubai, with top eateries and the very best tips on getting around places to indulge in brunch

THE ACTIVITIES

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THE NIGHTLIFE

From hip hangouts to rooftop terraces, we've rounded up the liveliest evening venues

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The skinny on the top tourist districts, including the most happening 'hoods

Trawl the mega malls and barter in the traditional souks – it's time to hit the shops

Dubai is a dream destination for photography fans – we showcase one stunning shot

GET YOUR BEARINGS

THE SHOPS

IN THE FRAME

Produced for dnata by HOT Media Publishing FZ LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from HOT Media Publishing is strictly prohibited. All prices mentioned are correct at the time of press but may change. HOT Media Publishing does not accept liability for omissions or errors contained in DXB City Expert.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS

SO THIS IS DUBAI

Get the skinny on the city with a quick history lesson. Armed with knowledge, head out to discover all the emirate has to offer for the holiday of a lifetime The historic Dubai Creek

SCRATCH BENEATH THE SURFACE A city of visual superlatives, it’s difficult to imagine Dubai without the gravitydefying presence of Burj Khalifa, the roar of supercars along its highways and wealth of plush malls, luxury hotels and record-breaking attractions.

Back in 1833, the nomadic Bani Yas tribe – led by the Maktoum family – migrated from the country’s desert interior to what was just a small coastal fishing, pearling and trading settlement.

Nothing much changed for the next 100 years until Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum became ruler and ordered that Dubai Creek be dredged to accommodate larger trading vessels, thus setting in motion the transformation of Dubai into a modern mega city.

The discovery of ‘black gold’ in 1966

was the real game-changer with newly found oil wealth the catalyst for the establishment of the United Arab Emirates. In an historic first, the ruling tribes of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah came together on 2 December 1971, followed by Ras Al Khaimah one year later, to form the country.

Under the leadership of the UAE’s first president, the late Sheikh Zayed (ruler of Abu Dhabi), and with the can-do attitude of Sheikh Rashid and support of the rulers of the other five emirates, the rest, as they say, is history.

The modern-day metropolis you’ve seen on TV is every bit as exciting as you can imagine. For a rich experience, we recommend that you get out onto the city streets, meet some of the more than 200 nationalities who are proud

to call Dubai home, and discover just what makes this one of the best destinations in the world to visit.

The climate July and August is the very peak of summer, with temperatures known to reach around 42°C (107°F), or higher.

Be sure to stay well hydrated.

The currency The UAE Dirham is what you’ll use. Notes come in 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5, and their value is pegged at Dhs3.67 = USD1.

The weekend The UAE weekend falls on Friday/ Saturday. Friday is the holy day so bear in mind that some attractions may be closed until the early evening.

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ON ARRIVAL

You’ve arrived and you want to get to your hotel ASAP. Read our quick tips to get you out of the airport and into holiday mode, pronto Let Marhaba lend a hand at the airport

LEAVING THE AIRPORT There are plenty of public taxis available at the airport, although you may need to queue. Women can get a step ahead by hopping into one of the pink-roofed taxis reserved especially for female travellers and families, and driven by ladies. Your fare will include a set airport pick-up fee of Dhs25.

Dubai International Airport is also connected to Dubai Metro at Terminals 1 and 3, with trains running every 10 minutes from 5am (or 10am on Friday) to midnight Saturday to Wednesday and until 1am on Thursday and Friday.

If you’ve got extra baggage, best take a taxi, as metro travellers are restricted to one regular suitcase and one piece of hand luggage only.

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All the major car hire companies have desks located after arrivals. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and in possession of a valid driving licence from their home country. Remember, we drive on the right-hand side here.

When the time comes to leave, you'll enjoy a chauffeur pick-up from anywhere in Dubai, a quick journey through departures and access to the Marhaba lounge, where you can unwind and help yourself to the complimentary food and drink.

WHIZZ THROUGH WITH MARHABA

GET CONNECTED

Take a load off by booking a Marhaba service (+971 4 389 8989, marhabaservices.com) that will help you make a speedy arrival and departure. When you touch down, the friendly staff will be waiting with a buggy transfer to passport control, where you'll be fast-tracked through the queue before a porter collects your luggage from the carousel.

You can pick up a visitor sim card for local use at the airport for just Dhs35.

This connects you to the Visitor Mobile Line (VML) service for calls and texts at a fraction of roaming charges. Simply head to the Du shop in the arrivals hall at Terminals 1 and 3. Top it up easily with prepaid cards sold at all major convenience stores, supermarkets and Du outlets (du.ae) across the city.

ALWAYS ON,

OFF THE GRID

DROP YOUR BAGS, HEAD STRAIGHT OUT. EXPLORE THE CITY, OFF THE TOURIST TRAIL AND FIND YOUR PLACE. Zabeel House: a new upscale casual hotel collection by Jumeirahâ„¢

800 JUMEIRAH | zabeelhouse.com | #ZabeelHouse

Dubai, Al Seef

Dubai, The Greens

GET YOUR BEARINGS

If it's your first time in the city, you're probably not au fait with the hip and happening 'hoods. Here's the low-down on the top tourist districts to explore

There's a great view of the Ain Dubai Ferris wheel from The Beach at JBR

DOWNTOWN DUBAI Go big or go home is the name of the game here, with the area boasting an impressive collection of iconic attractions, including: one of the world's largest shopping malls, The Dubai Mall; the tallest tower on the planet, Burj Khalifa; the all-singing-all-dancing The Dubai Fountain; and the architecturallystunning Dubai Opera. Trawl the mall's multitude of shops, pick up some mementoes at the Arabicstyle Souk Al Bahar and pose for selfies along the Waterfront Promenade before enjoying dinner and drinks overlooking Burj Lake.

The Dubai Fountain and Address Downtown

DUBAI MARINA AND JBR Those with a taste for luxury will feel right at home in this vibrant district, which is one of the city's most popular (and glamorous) residential neighbourhoods.

Built around a man-made marina and flanked by a virtual forest of residential towers, Dubai Marina boasts two beachfront promenades – The Walk and The Beach at JBR. These are lined with hotels, eateries and super trendy shops. It’s largely pedestrian friendly but is bisected by Dubai Tram, which handily stops outside the popular Dubai Marina Mall, home to 140 retail outlets spread across four levels.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS La Mer has brought the cool factor to Jumeirah

JUMEIRAH The low-rise villa neighbourhood that spawned the Jumeirah Jane epithet (think 'ladies who lunch'), Jumeirah's domestic suburbia reputation has been given a makeover in recent years with the development of hip new retail, dining and entertainment enclaves such as La Mer, BoxPark, City Walk and food truck friendly Jumeirah Corniche. Topped at one end by Jumeirah Mosque and tailed by Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and Madinat Jumeirah at the other, it’s a cross-cultural hotspot. Wild Wadi Water Park is a firm favourite among residents and tourists alike, offering 30 hair-raising rides and slides for all the family.

Palm Jumeirah is an engineering marvel (photo by Christoph Schulz on Unsplash)

PALM JUMEIRAH Another of Dubai’s iconic man-made projects – best viewed from above to fully appreciate its creatively engineered design – Palm Jumeirah blends posh apartments and villas with luxury hotels and malls all the way from its trunk to the tips of its feathered fronds. Ride the Palm Monorail to Atlantis The Palm, Dubai and enjoy the thrills and spills of Aquaventure Waterpark. Be sure to check out the bevy of five-star hotels and their various eateries along the 11km-long crescent, from One&Only The Palm Resort to Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort.

Dubai Creek is the beating heart of the emirate (photo by Ishak Ahmed on Unsplash)

SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD The pulsing arterial vein cutting through the city, this 8km-long stretch of busy highway runs parallel to the coastline. Numerous hotels are situated along its length, including JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, and there are plenty of attractions worth making a diversion for. We recommend feeling the grass beneath your feet at Zabeel Park, and checking out Dubai Water Canal, which is illuminated by night.

Looking down on a slice of SZR, as seen from Gevora Hotel

BUR DUBAI AND DEIRA On either side of Dubai Creek you can discover the heritage heartland of the city. Feed your appetite for culture on the Bur Dubai side at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, which is home to preserved wind tower houses, Dubai Museum and Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (one of the oldest buildings in the city). Take a Dhs1 ferry ride across the water to Deira to explore the traditional souks and sample the street food.

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Brought to you by City Sightseeing, a dnata associate company; and Costa Coffee, an Emirates Leisure Retail brand

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SO THIS IS DUBAI

CITY MAP

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G

JUL/AU

01

SUMMER IN DUBAI

Get up off that pool float, there’s a world of activities and events to check out...

IN THE WORKS

Manika Srivastav – Ode to Peace III

A must visit for art lovers, this year’s Made In Tashkeel exhibition, its ninth annual edition, marks the gallery’s 10th anniversary. It will feature 35 works by more than 25 UAE-based artists from 16 countries and the exhibits take many forms, including photography, screenprinting, sculpture, calligraphy, and more. Feast your eyes on a beautiful expression of Emirati identity, culture and tradition through a screen-print on folded paper, in ‘The Autonomous, The Fragmentary and The Discontinuous’ by self-taught artist Saeed Al Madani, alongside other intriguing artworks.

Open from 10am to 10pm daily, except Fridays until 30 August 2018 at Tashkeel Studio and Gallery in Nad Al Sheba 1.

Entry is free. Selected works will be for sale. To find out more, visit tashkeel.com

HOT TO SHOP If you're here for the shopping, you’ll be pleased to learn that there’s a huge citywide sale happening. Now in it's 20th annual installment, Dubai Summer Surprises is taking place until 4 August, bringing six weeks of great shopping to the emirate. Offering great promotions and a full lineup of exciting events, with lots of family fun thrown in alongside, this much-loved summer festival is sure to lure you to the biggest and best malls.

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Fashion Avenue, The Dubai Mall

EID AL ADHA Expected to take place from 21 to 23 August, depending on the sighting of the moon, Eid Al Adha is one of the most important dates in the Islamic calendar. The festival of the sacrifice marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, when people focus on spending time with loved ones and helping those less fortunate. Celebrations, such as fireworks, can be enjoyed across the city.

UNCOVER EVEN MORE FUN AND THRILLS THIS SUMMER!

Every Friday, we are opening our doors from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm for more fun with your friends and family. Enjoy all our thrilling rides, gourmet meals and refreshments under the evening sky from June to September!

Buy your ticket online today on wildwadi.com or call us on +971 4 348 4444

feeling like a VIP that’s Kilban’s marhaba effect The difference is the staff. So caring.

I’m just an ordinary traveller but marhaba makes me feel like a VIP. With people like this, there is only one way you can go—up, up and up!

Kilban

Breeze through all the airport formalities with our meet & greet services in Dubai and Bahrain.

Whether you’re arriving, departing or transferring, marhaba meet & greet makes your time at the airport something to look forward to.

You can also relax in style, no matter what your airline or class of travel, at our lounges in Dubai and Bahrain.

Find your marhaba effect at marhabaservices.com

meet & greet | family packages | marhaba lounge | citystop | transfer service

THE TOURS Private Dune Dinner

The Tours

Bags unpacked, suncream slathered on – it’s time to get out and see what this city is all about.

Take a cue from our friends at Arabian Adventures and City Sightseeing who are on hand to help you discover the best bits with their selection of top tours…

DISCOVER MORE, PAY LESS In July, you can enjoy a 20% discount upon booking the Desert Dune Buggies (exclusive buggy), Private Dune Dinner, Modern Dubai City Tour (excluding the At The Top experience) and Abu Dhabi City Tour.

PLUS, KIDS GO FREE! Up to two kids under 16 years old go free when booking with both parents. Valid from 1 July to 30 Sept 2018. Valid for the Traditional Dubai City Tour; Abu Dhabi City Tour; East Coast Tour and the Private Dune Dinner (for two adults and two kids).

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MODERN DUBAI CITY TOUR

See the best of Dubai’s iconic landmarks on one, awe-inspiring journey Departs from all emirates Explore the iconic landmarks that make up the city’s futuristic skyline. From Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina to Downtown Dubai and The Dubai Mall – this tour takes in all the highlights. ● See Palm Jumeirah on a scenic drive ● Continue to popular residential area Dubai Marina and enjoy a picturesque 20-minute boat ride ● Take a walk through retail and entertainment haven The Dubai Mall passing by Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, which features a 10-million-litre tank (one of the largest in the world) containing more than 33,000 aquatic animals including the largest collection of sand tiger sharks on the planet – it's also home to King Croc ● Visit the observation decks at At The Top, Burj Khalifa for a bird's eye view of the city (purchasing an entry ticket is an optional extra) ● Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure in The Dubai Mall with its many dining and entertainment options

Downtown Dubai is packed with record-breaking attractions

ASK THE CITY EXPERT Nabil Almallah Tour Guide, Arabian Adventures Guests really enjoy seeing the amazing architecture and modern sights of Dubai while learning more about the city on this half-day tour.

All aboard for the Dubai Marina boat ride

THE FACTS How much: Starting from Dhs184 for children and Dhs236 for adults (excluding At The Top) and Dhs315 for children and Dhs368 for adults (including At The Top).

All prices inclusive of VAT. Departures: Daily (morning).

Languages: English and German (daily); French and Italian (Sun, Weds, Fri); Spanish and Portuguese (Mon, Weds, Sat); Russian (Mon and Thurs); Mandarin (Mon, Weds, Sat); Japanese (Mon and Thurs).

Availability: Year-round.

Duration: Half-day.

Transport: Coach (sharing).

Activity: Moderate.

Good to Know: Ends at The Dubai Mall.

To book this tour, call Arabian Adventures on +971 4 303 4992 or visit arabian-adventures.com

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Want to see it all?

You can now book the Modern Dubai City Tour and the Traditional Dubai City Tour together as a mega sightseeing combo!

THE TOURS

TRADITIONAL DUBAI CITY TOUR A ‘must-do’ for any visitor to the emirate

Dubai Creek is the beating heart of the emirate

ASK THE CITY EXPERT MUHAMMAD YOUNUS Tour guide, Arabian Adventures My favourite parts of the tour are stopping by the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk. The mixture of nationalities you meet at these marketplaces offers a truly authentic experience for all.

Departs from all emirates Discover the traditional neighbourhoods of Dubai for a richer insight into the city's rich heritage and trading culture. ● Head to Jumeirah Mosque for a photo opportunity ● Continue to Zabeel Palace for another photo stop and onto the traditional side of Dubai ● Pass by Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, which is known for its wind towers, and on towards Dubai Creek ● Visit Dubai Museum ● Take a traditional abra (water taxi) ride, crossing over Dubai Creek ● Follow our entertaining guide through the Spice Souk and Gold Souk

● Take the transfer back to your hotel

The aromatic spice souk

THE FACTS How much: Dhs184 for adults and Dhs116 for children, including VAT. English departures: Daily (afternoon).

Languages: English and German (daily); French and Italian (Sun, Weds, Fri); Portuguese, Spanish and Mandarin (Sat, Mon, Weds); Japanese (mornings on Sun-Sat and Fri afternoons); Russian (Mon and Thurs).

Availability: Year-round.

Duration: Half- or full-day.

Transport: Coach.

Activity: Moderate.

To book this tour, call Arabian Adventures on +971 4 303 4992 or visit arabian-adventures.com

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ABU DHABI CITY TOUR

See the UAE’s vibrant capital and its landmark buildings

ASK THE CITY EXPERT Natalia Bashkirova

The Formula YAS 3000 experience at Yas Marina Circuit

Departs from Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi Explore the sights and landmarks of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on a full-day tour from Dubai. ● Stop for refreshments on Yas Island, with views of Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ● Visit the traditional fruit, vegetable and date market ● Pass by the dhow and fish market area and see traders at work ● Stop at Marina Mall and opt to have lunch at one of the cafés. (Lunch is not included in the tour price due to the variety of options available) ● Drive along Abu Dhabi Corniche ● Pass by Emirates Palace, the Al Bateen area and the royal palaces

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● Take a tour of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque ● Return to Dubai and back to your hotel

THE FACTS How much: Dhs289 including VAT.

English departures: Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat.

Languages: English and German (Mon, Tues, Weds and Sat); French and Italian (Tues and Sat); Russian (Weds and Sat); Japanese only (Sun and Weds).

Availability: Year-round.

Duration: Full-day.

Transport: Coach.

Activity: Easy.

Dress code: There is a strictly modest dress code for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

To book this tour, call Arabian Adventures on +971 4 303 4992 or visit arabian-adventures.com

Drive along Abu Dhabi Corniche

Tour Guide, Arabian Adventures It's always a pleasure to guide my guests around the UAE capital.

The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – a masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture with a spectacularly decorated interior.

THE TOURS

ABU DHABI ATTRACTIONS

Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the exciting attractions on Yas Island Departs from Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi Visit the top attractions in Abu Dhabi on a fun-filled tour of the capital. ● The tour starts with pick-up at your hotel before heading along Sheikh Zayed Road to Abu Dhabi ● Stop at the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for a tour. One the world’s largest mosques, it features 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24-karat gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand knotted carpet ● After the tour, leave the city and drive onto Yas Island ● Choose to spend an exciting afternoon at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Alternatively, visit the many shopping, dining and leisure attractions at Yas Mall ● After a thrilling afternoon, depart for Dubai and back to your hotel

See the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The kids are sure to love Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

THE FACTS How much: Including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: adult Dhs520, child Dhs394.

Visiting Yas Mall: adult Dhs289, child Dhs184. (Prices are inclusive of VAT.) English departures: Sun, Thurs.

Languages: English and German (Sun and Thurs); French and Italian (Thurs); Portuguese and Spanish (Sun, Tues and Thurs); Russian (Sun and Thurs); Mandarin (Sun, Tues, Thurs).

Availability: Year-round.

Duration: Full-day.

Transport: Coach.

Activity: Easy.

Dress code: There's a strictly modest dress code for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Good to know: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world with rides and experiences for the whole family. The biggest mall in Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall comprises 25 million square feet of shops and entertainment.

To book this tour, call Arabian Adventures on +971 4 303 4992 or visit arabian-adventures.com

Feel the need for speed at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

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EAST COAST TOUR

See the highlights of this picturesque part of the UAE Admire the stunning scenery

ASK THE CITY EXPERT You'll have time for a dip in the sea

Shop for traditional handicrafts

Departs from Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman Take a day to explore the picturesque East Coast of the UAE. From quaint fishing villages to mountain canyons and beautiful beaches, you'll see all the best bits. ● Heading east, drive through Sharjah towards the Al-Hajar Mountains ● In the small town of Masafi, shop at the Friday Market, open daily, where

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you can buy local crafts, pottery and carpets ● Drive along wadis and through deep canyons ● Stop for lunch (not included in the price) at a beachside hotel, with time for a swim in the sea ● Drive through Al Aqah and stop for a photo at Bidiyah Mosque, the oldest and smallest mosque in the UAE ● See the iconic Fujairah Fort, before spending some time at Fujairah Museum

● Stop for photos in front of Fujairah's beautiful Sheikh Zayed Mosque ● Take the mountain highway through the Al-Hajar Mountains back to Dubai

THE FACTS How much: Dhs273 for adults and Dhs163 for children, including VAT. Departures: Mon, Wed, Fri. Languages: English, German and Russian.

Availability: Year-round.

TAREQ AWIS Tour guide, Arabian Adventures Leaving Dubai behind, you'll see the desert and Al-Hajar Mountains and spend the day exploring the beautiful area around Al Aqah in Fujairah. See the sights and have lunch – there's even time for a swim.

Duration: Full-day.

Transport: Coach.

Activity: Moderate.

Dress Code: Modest dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Bring your swimwear and a beach towel.

Good to know: Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

To book this tour, call Arabian Adventures on +971 4 303 4992 or visit arabian-adventures.com

THE TOURS

DESERT DUNE BUGGIES Ideal for thrill-seekers looking for their next big adventure

Hit the dunes for sunset thrills Photography @theskybeyond

Departs from all emirates Try a truly exhilarating adventure driving across the dunes in the latest, fully automatic, four-seater, off-road dune buggy. ● Follow your guide along the natural trail of the dunes ● Driving and safety instructions, as well as safety gear, are provided ● All dune buggies are fully automatic and equipped with seatbelts, roll cages and off-road suspension

● Enjoy exciting photo opportunities ● Book an Exclusive Buggy for up to four friends and take turns behind the wheel or ride as a passenger ● Book a Driver Experience and you will have the chance to drive for at least 20 minutes out of the two-hour experience, as you take turns with up to three other guests in your shared buggy ● Book a Passenger Experience and ride along

with our safari guide in the lead buggy

THE FACTS How much: Dhs730 for the driving experience and Dhs315 to ride as a passenger only. An exclusive buggy for up to four guests is priced at Dhs1,575 (all prices including VAT).

Departures: Daily.

Availability: Year-round.

Duration: Two hours in the dune buggies.

Transport: Four-wheel drive (sharing) and Can-Am Maverick X3 desert dune buggies.

Activity: Moderate.

Good to know: Drivers must bring a valid driver’s license.

Passengers must be at least six years old. Refundable deposit required.

To book this tour, call Arabian Adventures on +971 4 303 4992 or visit arabian-adventures.com

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SUNDOWNER DUNE DINNER SAFARI Embark on a magical safari experience to remember

A camel ride is a must

ASK THE CITY EXPERT FAISAL KHAN

A portion of the ticket price helps support conservation efforts

Departs from all emirates The mysterious desert is the ideal venue for a memorable evening. Watch the sun go down as you drive to our traditional Bedouin style camp where a delicious dinner awaits. ● Leave your hotel and the city behind, driving into the desert in Land Cruisers with our entertaining safari guide ● Enjoy the thrill of a dune drive across Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve ● Stop to see a falcon (weather permitting) ● At sunset, stop for photos atop a dune ● Arrive at our Bedouin-style camp where desert activities and a bonfire await ● Experience a taster of desert activities including a

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camel ride, sand-boarding and henna hand painting, or discover shisha ● Move to the seating area and sample an Arabic style, three-course buffet ● Those aged 21 years and over can enjoy unlimited beverages (except on the eve of religious holidays) ● Watch a belly dancing performance (entertainment may vary during religious holidays) ● Souvenirs and photos are available to buy

THE FACTS How much: Adult Dhs395, child Dhs320. (Inclusive of VAT.)

Departures: Daily.

Availability: Year-round.

Duration: Late afternoon to early evening.

Transport: Four-wheel drive (sharing).

Activity: Easy.

Good to know: There’s the option to upgrade to a private four-wheel drive vehicle, or to skip the dune Relax under the stars

Safari guide, Arabian Adventures This must-do safari is suitable for everyone.

At the campsite, there are lots of activities to try, such as sand-boarding, camel rides and even a spot of stargazing. Guests always say how the memories will last a lifetime.

drive altogether. Toilets are available at the campsite.

To book this tour, call Arabian Adventures on +971 4 303 4992 or visit arabian-adventures.com

THE TOURS

PRIVATE DUNE DINNER

Grab your night vision binoculars and take part in scorpion tracking and stargazing This tour is an ideal way to surprise someone special

A portion of the ticket price helps support conservation efforts

EXCLUSIVE SAFARI Departs from all emirates Surprise your nearest and dearest, celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a quiet romantic evening in an idyllic setting thanks to this exclusive dune dinner safari experience. ● Our safari guide will collect you from your hotel in a four-wheel drive Land Cruiser and, leaving the city behind, will take you on a journey into the desert ● Enter the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and enjoy a thrilling dune drive ● Stop for falcon viewing (weather permitting) ● Take a short camel ride to

your private desert gazebo ● Relax and enjoy a tableservice Arabic dinner in your own Bedouin-style tent at a private site ● Unlimited adult beverages for those aged 21 and over ● Away from the city lights, you can enjoy a spot of stargazing

and a guided tour.

Duration: Late afternoon to early evening.

Transport: Four-wheel drive (sharing).

Activity: Easy.

Good to know: Extras such as a celebratory cake,

henna hand-painting, or a belly dance performance, can be added.

To book this tour, call Arabian Adventures on +971 4 303 4992 or visit arabian-adventures.com Dine amid the dunes

THE FACTS How much: Starting from Dhs1,790 per couple (including VAT).

Departures: Daily.

Language: English.

Availability: Year-round.

Hotel pick-up and drop-off is included, as is food, soft drinks and adult beverages,

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CITY OF LIGHTS NIGHT TOUR See the city come alive with light that illuminates the night's sky

HIGHLIGHTS

● Discover two sightseeing routes showcasing Dubai by night ● See all the major sights including Burj Khalifa, Dubai Festival City and Atlantis The Palm, Dubai ● Audio commentary in 13 languages

Be dazzled by the twinkling lights

See Dubai transform by night into a sparkling city of lights while discovering its cultural heart. The 'Sunset Red' route lets you explore the historic Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai Festival City, Shindagha and Deira districts where the traditional souks are located.

Meanwhile, the 'Midnight Blue' route showcases the striking skyline, including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Atlantis The Palm, Dubai.

THE FACTS Days of operation: Daily from 6.15-10pm.

What’s included: Hop-on, hop-off access to all City

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Sightseeing buses on two routes for three hours.

Good to know: This tour is free when purchasing a 1 Day, 3 Day or 7 Day City Sightseeing Dubai Pass; both routes are included in the ticket price and there is enough time to do both.

Languages: English, Arabic, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, Hindi, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, Turkish and Farsi.

How much: Dhs180 per adult and Dhs120 per child (6-11 years). Includes VAT. To book please visit citysightseeing-dubai.com, or call 800CSDUBAI (800 273 8224)/+971 4 316 7506

Pass by iconic attractions

THE TOURS

CITY SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Discover Dubai at your own pace on the ultimate city bus tour Photo opportunities abound

HIGHLIGHTS

● Four sightseeing routes ● Audio commentary in 13 languages ● Complimentary tickets to other attractions (see below)

The 'hop on, hop off' concept is simple: a ticket is valid for one day or more, with more than 38 bus stops spread across four city routes. You decide when to ride, where to get off, and what to visit.

Tickets come with lots of added extras and there is commentary in 13 languages.

Operating from 9am to 10pm (varies on selected routes), 365 days a year.

THE FACTS Days of operation: Daily, from 9am to 5.30pm.

What’s included: The 1 Day Pass includes: a dhow cruise at Al Seef, entry to Dubai Museum, a seat on the City of Lights Night Tour, and a free cup of coffee at Costa Coffee when you purchase one.

The 3 Day Pass includes: all the above inclusions, plus entry to Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, a one-hour Palm Jumeirah Cruise, and a 20% discount at Sun& Mediterranean Lounge.

The 7 Day Pass includes all the above experiences,

plus a trip on the Flying Cup at The Beach at JBR. Good to know: Before your 1 Day Pass has expired, you can upgrade to 3 or 7 Day Pass.

Languages: English, Arabic, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, Hindi, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, Turkish and Farsi.

How much: The 1 Day Pass is priced at Dhs260 per adult and Dhs160 per child; 3 Day Pass is Dhs350 per adult and Dhs250 per child; 7 Day Pass is Dhs450

per adult and Dhs350 per child. (Children are aged 6-11 and prices are inclusive of VAT.) To book please visit citysightseeing-dubai. com, or call 800CSDUBAI (800 273 8224)/+971 4 316 7506

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CitySightseeingDubai @cssdubai #cssdubai

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Riviera Seafood Grill

The Food

Dubai’s cultural diversity is reflected in its culinary mosaic of fantastic restaurants – from the best Indian food this side of the subcontinent to sleek Japanese eateries and authentic Arabic mezze.

It’s little wonder that world-renowned chefs are falling over themselves to open venues in the city

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THE FOOD

WHAT’S NEW IN TOWN? In what's arguably the city's most stylish setting, high up in Renaissance Downtown Hotel, the two-floored Morimoto Dubai +971 4 512 5577, morimotodubai.com) turns its teppanyaki table into something of a culinary theatre for summer, with chefs working their way through a magnificent eight course set menu as you sit, eyes transfixed before them. Forget about flipping prawn tails into hats – this is teppanyaki fine dining style, with caviar, edible gold, foie gras and truffle running through the menu. Sublime stuff, and worth every one of the Dhs450 per person it costs.

For a side of British naval heritage with your supper, it doesn’t get much better than lunch, brunch or dinner (and a show) onboard the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 (+971 4 526 8888, qe2.com), which has been carefully restored and is now open to the public. Docked at Port Rashid, the ship is now making history as a floating hotel and dining destination, with daily heritage tours also available.

For now, there are five restaurants and bars to enjoy, including The Queens Grill, which once hosted Queen Elizabeth II herself. The tasting menu here lists the same dishes eaten on the ship’s maiden voyage in 1969. Open daily from 7.15pm to 11pm, with kids aged seven and over welcome. Be sure to book in advance.

Morimoto Dubai

Queen Elizabeth 2

Rang Mahal by Atul Kochhar

INCREDIBLE INDIAN Few chefs have mastered Indian cuisine quite like Michelin-starred Atul Kochhar, whose award-winning Rang Mahal by Atul Kochhar (+971 4 414 3000, jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com) graces the second floor of JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. The varied menu sings with a cacophony of flavour and creativity, and we heartily recommend you indulge in one of the great value tasting menus. Every bite is a delight.

If there’s a sure thing in the restaurant industry it’s that an Indian

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That’s a good deal Seeking a good value supper for two? Steakhouse STK Dubai JBR at Rixos Premium Dubai is offering a sharing menu every evening from 6pm to 1am that invites you to indulge in a premium 1kg rib-eye steak, cooked just the way you like it, topped with fresh prawns, with parmesan truffle chips and broccolini on the side, plus a bottle of house grape. Dhs499 per couple. +971 4 323 0061, stkhouse.com

restaurant operated by Taj Hotels is going to be good, if not very good.

Falling very much into the latter category, Bombay Brasserie (+971 4 438 3100, tajhotels.com) sees chef de cuisine Ajay Negi conjure up flavours as vibrant as the restaurant’s interiors.

Bag the right table and you’ll also take in the sight of The Dubai Fountain.

Gastronauts can embark on a spiceladen journey through northern India at Khyber at DUKES Dubai (+971 4 455 1111, dukesdubai.com). The culinary offering is headed up by chef Faizan Ali, who oversees a team of six north Indian chefs in the kitchen. Together, they conjure up expertly spiced signature dishes, such as kaalo dal. Snag a table on the terrace for 180-degree views of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and the Dubai Marina skyline.

In a wonderful, colonial style settting, Little Miss India (+971 4 457 3457, fairmont.com) at Fairmont The

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Palm excels in housemade spice mixtures and marinades – used to brilliant effect in both the food and inspired cocktails, which put an Indian spin on classic recipes.

CHINESE CRACKERS No self-respecting cosmopolitan city can call itself a self-respecting cosmopolitan city unless it has a Hakkasan (+971 4 384 8484, hakkasan. com). Happily, Dubai does (at Jumeirah Emirates Towers), and the high-end chain doesn’t disappoint with its chic, contemporary Chinese décor, expertly made dim sum and oh-so fashionable bar.

Shang Palace (+971 4 405 2703, shangri-la.com) at the Shangri-La Dubai is an old favourite that never fluctuates from serving up outstanding Cantonese cuisine: case in point, the signature cod fish with grapes and well-balanced orange sauce.

Ask a Top Chef Luigi Margoni Executive Chef, LARTE at Dubai Design District

I've tried many restaurants since arriving in Dubai but my current favourite is 3Fils (3fils.com) on Jumeirah Beach Road.

The combination of serving an excellent variety of food in a casual setting is much like the atmosphere at LARTE.

THE FOOD Another purveyor of high quality Chinese classics is Shiba (+971 4 381 3111, meydanhotels.com) located at The Meydan Hotel, where the interactive element of dining adds a sprinkling of theatre.

A TRUE TASTE OF THE EMIRATES Considering all the many colourful cuisines Dubai has to offer, it might come as a surprise to learn that good Emirati food is not so easy to come by.

However, slowly but surely, more and more authentic Emirati restaurants are cropping up across town.

An enduring favourite is Al Fanar (+971 4 232 9966, alfanarrestaurant. com), located along Canal Walk in Dubai Festival City Mall. You can dine outside on floor cushions in the traditional majlis or at a table in

the central courtyard area, which looks like a traditional Emirati home.

The dishes on offer include chicken machboos (spiced chicken mixed with rice), grilled shaari fish and jesheed (baby shark cooked with onions and punchy spices).

You’ll find camel on the menu at Aseelah (+971 4 205 7333, radissonblu. com/hotel-dubaideiracreek) in the Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek, alongside other dishes made using local ingredients, such as a tender Arabian lobster.

For an insight into the country's heritage, The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (+971 4 353 6666, cultures.ae) offers interactive ‘cultural meals’ – so named because guests are encouraged to ask questions on anything that relates to the Emirati culture – prepared by local

THIS MONTH'S

Top table

FOODIE DISTRICT

CLUB VISTA MARE Fancy soaking up spectacular views of the cityscape when sitting down to dinner? Club Vista Mare, a Dhs120 million beachfront promenade of restaurants, bars and cafés on Palm Jumeirah, allows you to do just that. Among the dining venues, each with an al fresco terrace, is Breeze Beach Grill (+971 4 568 3000, a beach grill concept that has a raw bar and deli counter. There’s also Aji (+971 4 552 0244, aji.ae) – in case you're wondering, it's pronounced ‘ah-hee’ – which specialises in Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei) cuisine. Come here on a Monday night from 8pm and ladies can enjoy three complimentary drinks and 30% off their food. It's packed and good fun to boot. To try food that might be new to your tastebuds, head to Gursha (+971 4 554 2665, gursha-dubai.com). It's an Ethiopian restaurant, where the food – the likes of spicy lentil stews and curries thick with caramalised onions and spices – is served to share and eaten with your hands, once you've scooped some up with injera, a thin bread.

LA PETITE MAISON If you're making the effort to go vegan or vegetarian, you can carry on in fine dining style thanks to the meatless Monday movement at La Petite Maison Dubai (+971 4439 0505, lpmdubai.ae). This award-winning restaurant in DIFC has found creative ways to satisfy diners, with vegan dishes including a proteinpacked lentil salad with jalapeño dressing and sweet peppers in olive oil. For vegetarians, the morel mushroom and asparagus risotto is sure to appeal, while desserts include thin crust apple tart with vanilla ice cream. Open daily for lunch from noon until 3.30pm and dinner from 7pm to 11.30pm.

Aji

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chefs in order to preserve the traditions and customs of the Bedouin people. They offer cultural breakfast on Mondays and Wednesdays, cultural lunch on Sundays and Tuesdays, cultural brunch every Saturday and a cultural dinner every Tuesday. Advance booking is required.

ARABIC YOU’LL ADORE For an authentic desert dining experience under the stars, journey to Al Hadheerah at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa (+971 4 809 6194, alhadheerah.com). Take your pick from 14 live cooking stations offering traditional Middle Eastern dishes prepared using age-old recipes. Live entertainment adds to the ambience. Open daily from 7.30pm to 11.30pm – try and plan your visit on a Thursday or Friday evening to catch the amazing fireworks display.

A hit among Dubai’s sizeable Lebanese community, Al Falamanki (alfalamanki. com) is an outpost of one of Beirut’s most famous restaurants. Like the original, this sprawling Jumeirah Beach Road branch features indoor and outdoor areas, homely décor and a soft soundtrack of old-school Arabic music. On the menu are hot and cold mezze, salads, grills and manakeesh, along with a selection of shisha. The done thing here is to order a

load of dishes to share and settle in for a game of backgammon.

Olea (+971 4 341 0000, kempinski.com) at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates prides itself on authentic cuisine, thanks to its 14-strong team of chefs drawn from Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Palestine. The relaxed space features a lovely outdoor terrace and menu highlights include the lamb kofta, served on a 1.5m-long skewer.

TURKISH DELIGHTS In Souk Al Bahar, the outdoor terrace at Günaydin (+971 4 554 0700, gunaydindubai.com) is a top spot for views of Burj Khalifa and, at night, The Dubai Fountain. The Turkish ‘meatery’ serves meat in all its forms: traditional döner, succulent kebabs, juicy meatballs, and lovingly cooked steaks. Over at Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai favourite Colin Clague can be found working his magic at high design Anatolian eatery Rüya (+971 4 399 9123, ruyadubai.com).

Infused with caramelised and charcoal flavours, cağ kebabı (marinated lamb kebab) is the pick of the menu.

TIME FOR THAI Showcasing unique regional dishes alongside street food favourites

IN THE KNOW

Big name chefs JASON ATHERTON Marina Social, InterContinental Dubai Marina. +971 4 446 6777, ihg.com Atherton’s Social concept has won an army of fans in London, and its Dubai offshoot is a great destination for dishes big on detail.

DAVID MYERS Basta!, Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai. +971 4 512 5522, basta-dubai.com One of three Myers' restaurants at this hip hotel, Basta! is a go-to for Italian staples like Florentine steak and Neapolitan pizza.

HEINZ BECK Social, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. +971 4 818 2222, waldorfastoria3.hilton.com A master of modern gastronomy, Beck’s artistry is best conveyed through sublime dishes like saltbaked sea bass with cauliflower, truffle sauce and orange perfume.

Basta!

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TONG Thai Wednesdays

Get ready to experience the best of everyone’s favorite Thai restaurant at Counter Culture Café.

Chef Rittiyos Hayatapan - the award winning chef behind Tong Thai restaurant and the talented culinary team at Marriott Harbour are going to take you on a journey to Thailand as you indulge in authentic, mouthwatering dishes together with refreshing Thai beverages.

Every Wednesday from 4pm to 11pm

#TongThaiWednesday #counterculturecafé Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Dubai Marina marriottharbourdubaidining.com | T. 971.4.319.4000 To find out more, follow us on Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites and counterculturedxb

Miss Tess

IN THE KNOW

Healthy heroes COMPTOIR 102 Jumeirah Beach Road, +971 4 385 4555, comptoir102.com The menu makes use of the best ingredients from local organic farms to serve up tasty and nutritious dishes that appeal to health food devotees.

WILD & THE MOON Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, 800 9453, wildandthemoon.com Here, the vegan chef has developed a wholesome menu of plant-based recipes to which nothing has been added.

OMNIA GOURMET Jumeirah Fish Harbour, +971 4 343 7181 Somewhat of a hidden gem, chef Silvena Rowe serves up a menu rife with healthy options, from vegan through to paleo.

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and authentic yet inventive classics, Tong Thai (+971 4 414 3000, jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com) at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, is regularly voted the best Thai restaurant in the city.

Signature curries like creamy panang kung with tiger prawns and gai phad kaprao with chilli and hot basil pack plenty of depth and flavour, while classics like tom yum have been honed to perfection.

You’ll arrive at Madinat Jumeirah’s Pai Thai (+971 4 432 3232, jumeirah.com) via one of the resort’s abras, floating across a winding waterway – romantic, for sure. Equally satisfying is the food, particularly dishes like goong gratiemprik thai, where crispy tiger prawns are teamed with garlic, coriander and a piquant green pepper sauce.

SUBLIME SUSHI AND SASHIMI Beyond the elsewhere-mentioned Zuma, Dubai is home to a fair few standout Japanese restaurants, including outposts of Novikov and Nobu. Better still, TOMO (+971 4 357 7888, tomo.ae) at Raffles Dubai, is helmed by chef-owner Chitoshi Takahashi, who has devised a vast

menu packed with fantastic authentic Japanese delicacies, best navigated with the help of your waiter.

There’s more of a fun vibe over at Izakaya, located at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai (jwmarriottmarquisdubailife. com, +971 4 414 3000) – for a start, the so-called Wasabi Girl (she has wasabi coloured hair) makes the head-blowing Japanese mustard at your table. Yet the food is of serious quality; plump, fabulously fresh sashimi and inventive sushi creations are always on the mark.

You can take a seat at the sushi counter, or position yourself in full view of the live teppanyaki counter at Morimoto Dubai at Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai (+971 4 512 5577, morimotodubai.com), which showcases Masaharu Morimoto's trademark culinary style, with seasonal seafood flown in from markets around the world, including Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji and Fukuoka fish markets.

PAN-ASIAN FLAVOURS When you crave Asian food in any one of its guises, nowhere does it better than the award-toting Mekong (+971 4 567 8304, dubai-palm.anantara.com) at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort.

Its lengthy menu includes myriad Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese highlights (the duck curry is a big hitter), which you enjoy on rickshaw-style seating.

Taking her culinary direction from the many varied street foods of Korea, Thailand, China, Vietnam and Japan, Miss Tess (+971 4 438 3121, misstessdubai. com) brings an element of fun dining to Taj Dubai. where the eclecticism of the menu is matched by that of the interiors.

BEST OF BRITISH On Palm Jumeirah, housed in the beautiful Dukes Dubai, is the Great British Restaurant, otherwise known as GBR (+971 4 455 1101, dukesdubai.com).

This is the place to come for expertly cooked (better than your mum makes) roast dinners with all the trimmings, fish and chips with crispy batter and feather-light fish, and comforting

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THE FOOD Galvin Dubai

FOODIE DISTRICT

CITY WALK A vibrant mix of cafés, restaurants and unique boutiques, City Walk is at its best at night, when twinkling lights and neon illuminate the streets and purposely graffitied walls – by some of the world’s best known street artists – below. Along with DIFC and d3, it’s also an area that has a few licensed venues independent of hotels, in The Square.

Galvin Dubai (+971 4 590 5444, galvindubai.com) is the first venture outside the UK for Michelin-starred brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin. They describe their menu as the “best of British, with a Mediterranean Basin flair” and it’s excellent.

Lima Dubai (800 5462 5462, limadubai.com) is a Peruvian hotspot from Virgilio Martinez, the chef behind Central in Lima, Peru, the fifth

best restaurant on the planet according to the coveted World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Headed by his Central protégé, Diego Sanchez, the top dishes here include an incredibly good octopus and corn brûlée.

Also of note is Toro + Ko (+971 4 590 5433, torodubai.com) a Barcelona-inspired tapas restaurant and bar by awardwinning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette.

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Bussola

cottage pie fashioned from slow cooked beef. Bookend your mains with a fabulous coronation chicken and a sweet treat such as the quintessentially English sticky toffee pudding.

At The Croft (+971 4 319 4000, marriott.com), modern British cuisine with a twist is the culinary mantra (try the tongue and cheek pie, it's a surprisingly delicious revelation).

With a focus on sourcing homegrown produce and working with local suppliers where possible, the menu is packed with the expected and the intriguing, with dishes such foie gras-stuffed chicken and Chef Sentil's mum's curry among the highlights.

The Scene (+971 422 2328, thescenedubai.com) by TV chef and serial author Simon Rimmer is the frontrunner at Pier 7, a hugely popular seven-floor, seven-restaurant tower set on a (licensed) pier in Dubai Marina.

British-style comfort food is the gist of it – think succulent, deep-filled pies, veal Scotch eggs, ale-battered fish and chunky chips – while veggies and vegans have their own thoughtfully designed collection of dishes including curries, pies and burger options.

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IN THE KNOW

Perfect pizza EATALY The Dubai Mall, 800 328 259, eataly.ae Eataly’s simple margherita is so good, the tomato sauce so rich and flavoursome, you may well forgo fancy toppings for ever.

TASTE OF ITALY

BY HEINZ BECK The Galleria Mall, +971 4 343 8292, tasteofitalybyheinzbeck.com Heinz Beck helms the threeMichelin-starred La Pergola in Rome. This, his casual café brand, serves up pizza with the most incredibly light bases.

FOODIE DISTRICT

DIFC Within Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is Gate Village, where amid the high-end galleries and auction houses are some of Dubai’s best restaurants.

At Zuma (+971 4 425 5560, zumarestaurant.com) the outstanding Japanese food is best ordered to share. As it is at the always buzzing La Petite Maison (+971 4 439 0505, lpmlondon.co.uk/ dubai), which uses produce from local UAE farms in a number of its fabulous creations, all of which have their roots in FrenchMediterranean cooking.

Elsewhere, Peyote (+971 4 521 6300, peyoterestaurant. com) brings modern Mexican dishes to Dubai, courtesy of the man behind Maximo Bistrot, voted one of Latin America's top 50 restaurants.

Artful dishes, such as tacos de tempura de gambas (tiger prawn tempura, chipotle mayonnaise and lime) are simply delicious.

The newest opening here is Beefbar Dubai (+971 4 352 2223, dubai.beefbar.com, which, as the name suggests, offers beef myriad ways, particularly its speciality – certified Japanese Kobe.

BUSSOLA The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, +971 4 511 7373, bussoladubai.com An old favourite that serves classic crusts from its al fresco upper deck location beside the sea.

Beefbar Dubai

THE FOOD Carnival by Tresind

Masti

folly by Nick & Scott

MADE IN THE UAE Although Dubai has more than its fair share of excellent restaurants, a huge helping of them are franchised from elsewhere in the world. However, if you want to head to somewhere you’ll only find in Dubai there are some outstanding options to choose from.

With cracking views over Madinat Jumeirah and the sea, folly by Nick & Scott (+971 4 430 8535, folly.ae), two longtime Dubai-based chefs with a rich pedigree – including a combined eight years at Gordon Ramsay Holdings – offers up a thoughtful menu of modern European sharing dishes. The cooking is precise, the flavours impactful,

and what they can do with a mere mushroom and plain old radish needs to be tasted to be believed.

Adored by local gastronomes, Carnival by Tresind (+971 4 4218 665, carnivalbytresind.com) is wildly popular. Expect vibrant interiors and a toy merry-go-round in the centre of each table, alongside intriguing Indian dishes such as pink pani puri and the wonderful beetroot gol gappa.

You’ll want to visit the new and wonderful beachside development that’s La Mer while in Dubai. After time spent exploring, make Masti (800 62784, mastidubai.com) your final destination. Head upstairs to enjoy a couple of brilliantly inventive

Kishmish

cocktails – the mango chutney infused mahar mojito, for one – then go downstairs to enjoy food that’s termed an expression of ‘new India’, best eaten shared to get a taste of menu highlights. Standouts include the tuna bhel tartare, and the burrata and truffle pizza.

For something very different, Kishmish (+971 4 349 6665, kishmish.ae) in Dar Al Wasl mall, Jumeirah, brings Afghan street food to Dubai for the first time. Chef owners Iman, Fatima and Homaira have been family friends for generations, and this restaurant is the realisation of their dream to share the complex aromas and tastes of Afghan food with their adopted city.

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IN THE KNOW

The best burgers SALT Kite Beach, Umm Suqeim find-salt.com Once a mere food truck, now a sort of beach house, Salt's 'original' is served as two 100% wagyu beef sliders, which simply extends the pleasure of eating it.

BURGER FUEL The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, +971 4 445 8220, burgerfuel.com The concept is 100% New Zealand grass-fed beef, 150g of which is chargrilled to perfection and placed within a wholemeal bun.

MOYLO’S Jumeirah Beach Road, +971 4 388 3140, moylosburgers.com A home-grown, hole-in-the-wall joint on Jumeirah Beach Road, where 100% wagyu beef is used in all its homemade burgers.

CARIBBEAN QUEENS Different to almost anywhere else in Dubai, Miss Lily’s (+971 4 354 4074, misslilys.com) brings a true taste of the Caribbean to these shores in the form of authentic Jamaican dishes. Hailing from New York, this is the first international Miss Lily’s outpost, and it’s something of a gem. Vibrant, fun and characterful, the self-styled ‘beach shack-meetsJamaican diner’ boasts a number of must-try dishes including jerk corn grilled with toasted coconut, hot pepper lobster and a brilliant king crab with Scotch bonnet sauce.

Ting Irie (+971 4 557 5601, tingirie. com) at Downtown Boulevard offers up Jamaican staples in a fun atmosphere courtesy of executive chef Craig Wong (of Jamaican-Chinese heritage), whose CV boasts stints at the multi-Michelinstarred Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée and Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck.

BAVARIAN BITES Licensed from Munic's Hofbräuhaus, you’ll find Dubai’s outpost inside the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai (+971 4 607 7588, jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com),

FOODIE DISTRICT

LA MER This trendy new beachfront destination in Jumeirah has a contemporary mixture of restaurants and cafés, shops and attractions set against a scenic backdrop of sand, sea and sun. There are new eateries cropping up all the time but our favourites include Masti - Cocktails & Cuisine (800 62784, mastidubai.com), which has a bold new India vibe, with flavourful sharing plates by award-winning chef Hari Nayak. For authentic French Mediterranean cuisine, head to all-day-dining concept LEVEE (+971 4 380 2000, leveecafeandlounge. ae) to try the La Mer risotto, which features scallops, tiger prawns, baby squid and bouillabaisse. The venue has a New York loft style vibe, but you can move to the terrace for beachier views.

SMK – that's Smoked Meat Kitchen to you and I – (+971 50 7032915, smk-uae.com) is the area's latest addition, serving meat smoked over English oak topped off with homemade rubs, created by UK Smoke Master Luke Tully.

Try the signature Brisket Bun, which comes with pickled red chilli, adding a fruity quality.

LEVEE

Ting Irie

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THE FOOD where it has built up a loyal crowd over 20 years. They come here for the first rate atmosphere and German staples – the outsized sausage platter will slay any killer appetite.

For a healthy take on German cuisine, Brothaus Bakery-Bistro (+971 4 369 0000, steigenberger.com) at Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay has a tasty menu featuring hearty mains, five different types of sausages and sweet treats like sacher torte.

GOOD GREEK While Dubai is not exactly overflowing with Greek restaurants, it does boast some truly excellent ones. In-the-know locals will point you towards Elia (+971 4 359 8888, dubaimajestic.com), a cosy restaurant with a lovely glass

IN THE KNOW

Dinner with a view… …OF BURJ AL ARAB JUMEIRAH Shimmers, Madinat Jumeirah, +971 4 4323232, jumeirah.com A menu of home-style Mediterranean favourites is ably supported by a causal, toes-in-thesand atmosphere.

terrace surrounded by greenery in the somewhat incongruous setting of the Majestic Hotel in bustling Bur Dubai.

In the kitchen is Cretan head chef Poppy Kourkoutaki, while charming restaurant manager (and fellow Crete local) Margianna Mavridou heads up the front-of-house team. The menu is divided into Greek classics – the cheese saganaki and chicken souvlaki are standouts – and more contemporary interpretations such as slow-cooked veal cheeks with eggplant purée. Don’t leave without trying the freshly baked carob bread.

From the same team, Mythos Kouzina & Grill (+971 4 399 8166, mythoskouzina. com) feels like a little slice of Santorini hidden away in JLT’s Armada Bay Hotel.

Kitted out like a traditional seaside taverna with whitewashed walls, rustic furniture and light blue banquettes, the simple menu is a mix of traditional dishes such as keftedakia (meatballs) and grilled calamari, together with home-style favourites like moussaka and gigandes (butter beans).

FABULOUS FRENCH For decades Le Cirque was New York’s go-to spot for A-list celebrities and real estate tycoons (including a certain Mr Trump). Now at The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Le Cirque (+971 4 372 2444, ritzcarlton) is proving equally popular. The menu, which comes with a hint of Italian inspiraton, contains just the right number of dishes to suggest that each has been honed to perfection – the subsequent taste test confirms it. A superb lobster risotto easily ranks among Dubai's 'musttry' dishes, while soft-as-butter Dover sole and a chocolate soufflé so light it could float from your table are among the notable highlights.

Regardless of the quality of the food they serve up, it’s often difficult for Dubai’s many hotel-run restaurants to shake off that hotel restaurant vibe.

So it’s to places like this we locals go for a hefty side of atmosphere to enjoy with our food at weekends. Let your waiter guide you to the menu highlights at Bistrot Bagatelle (+971 4 354 5035, bagatelledubai.com), which include Elia

...OF BURJ KHALIFA AND THE DUBAI FOUNTAIN Katana, Downtown Dubai, +971 4 277 8808, katana-dubai.com Katana specialises in the robatayaki style of Japanese cuisine. It’s fabulous enough to match the view.

…OF DUBAI MARINA 101 Dining Lounge and Bar One&Only The Palm Dubai, +971 440 1010, thepalm. oneandonlyresorts.com Drink in picture-perfect views while enjoying contemporary European fare from a menu rubber-stamped by super-chef Yannick Alléno.

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sharing dishes such as a to-die-for black truffle pizza and spicy lobster linguini.

You’ll find it inside the Fairmont Dubai, on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Offering French Mediterranean fare from Izu Ani (one of city's best chefs) is Carine, at Emirates Golf Club (+971 4 417 9999, carine.ae). This homely spot by the fairways offers up unpretentious but expertly done dishes – think crispy calamari, citrusy tuna carpaccio and fragrant harissa prawns. Be sure to try the homemade plum and apple jam.

FRESH FROM THE OCEAN Catch (+971 4 357 1755, catch.ae) remains one of the hottest tables in town (go after 9pm), with an atmosphere to match. Hailing from NYC, another good reason that this contemporary American seafood restaurant finds favour is, of course, its delicious food.

Eat here and you'll get to sample some stunning dishes, a list headed by the grilled octopus and sofrito. The octopus

is marinated in pineapple juice for days before it's grilled to such a tender state it barely merits cutting. Sensational.

If you’re keen to dine with the feel of sand between your toes, book a table at Fish Beach Taverna (+971 4 511 7139, fishdubai.com). With a rustic Mediterranean feel, this restaurant can be found on the water’s edge at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and is amazingly atmospheric at night.

Down in DIFC, at Al Fattan Currency House, Crazy Fish Dubai (+ 971 4 352 9429, crazyfishdubai.com) is an outpost of the Monte Carlo favourite, and like its slightly elder sibling, the restaurant employs simple cooking methods to let the freshness of the fish (caught daily) do the talking. It's not crazy, however.

ITALIAN LIKE MAMA MAKES IT JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, is home to arguably Dubai’s best Italian – Positano (+971 4 414 3000,

Family friendly eats

Ask a Top Chef

Luigi Vespero Executive Chef, Galvin Dubai and Demoiselle by Galvin

Don't miss Lima (limadubai.com) the award-winning Peruvian restaurant and lounge at City Walk. The ceviche is, by far, the best I ever had, the service is outstanding and the ambiance is really lively and cosy.

Pots, Pans & Boards

Eating at your hotel can work out expensive, especially if you have a whole family to feed. But fear not: Dubai's restaurants are very family friendly, with myriad options for good value, great quality fare.

WITH LITTLE ONES Ideal for tiny tots is bookstore-slashcafé BookMunch (+971 4 388 4006, bookmunchcafe.com) in Al Wasl Square, which serves tasty treats like blueberry pancakes and stocks plenty of children’s books with a cosy area in which to read them.

Helmed by Tom Aikens, who remains the youngest UK chef to have scooped two Michelin stars, Pots, Pans and Boards (+971 4 456 1959, potspansandboards.ae) is based on Tom's memories of home cooking and his family kitchen – cue shepherd's pie and a divine apple crumble. Plus, there's a cute toddler play area.

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For creative types, Café Ceramique (+971 4 344 7331, cafeceramique.ae) in Town Centre Mall invites kids to paint their own ceramics, while good quality staples like mac and cheese and pizza are served alongside.

WITH BIGGER ONES From NYC comes Black Tap (+971 4 422 9904, jumeirah.com), at Jumeirah Al

Naseem, famed for its burgers and monster milkshakes piled high with toppings like chocolate brownies and cotton candy.

If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, Claw BBQ (+971 4 432 2300, clawbbq.com) in Souk Al Bahar is lots of fun. Arrive early in the evening to enjoy the view of The Dubai Fountain on your way out.

Enter through the gold Vault doors and unlock the secrets of this effortlessly cool space. Ladies will be treated to three complimentary delicious beverages.

Come and discover unparalleled views of Dubai and enjoy the DJ’s innovative grooves.

Tuesdays from 7pm to midnight.

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, PO Box 121000, Dubai, UAE T: +971 4 414 3000 | jwmmrr@marriott.com | jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com JW Marriott Marquis Dubai |

JWDubaiMarquis |

vaultdubai

FOODIE DISTRICT

jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com).

The restaurant does the full range of Italian staples exceptionally well, so you don't have to look beyond the likes of the pumpkin tortelli in a rich, velvety butter and sage sauce.

A Dubai birthed concept from Italian expats, Matto (+971 444 41335, mattodubai.com) at The Oberoi, Business Bay, indulges its diners in authentic recipes that have been handed down through generations of home cooks.

That means pasta dishes to die for – we can't look beyond the ragù e carciofi (homemade ricotta cheese gnocchi, lamb ragù, and crispy artichokes).

Likewise, you’d expect the Italian restaurant at Palazzo Versace Dubai to be somewhat of a showstopper, and thanks to chef de cuisine Andrea Gaia, that’s exactly what Vanitas (+971 4 556 8820, palazzoversace.ae) is. Gaia’s CV lists many a Michelin-starred restaurant, experience he brings to bear on the menu here.

THE BEACH AT JBR A brilliant pedestrianised area mere metres from the sand and sea, The Beach at JBR is the perfect place to head for a good-value feed for your family. Your best bet is to simply stroll the length of it, stopping to peruse the menus at places that catch your eye – there are myriad cuisines to choose from.

The brainchild of Michelinstarred chef Thomas Keller, Bouchon Bakery at The Beach at JBR (+971 4 419 0772) is perfect for a morning pick-me-up. Indulge in sticky sweet pastries and a cup of custom-blended TK by Equator coffee.

If the ocean air puts you in the mood for seafood, crack open a crab at Aprons SUPERB SPANISH & Hammers (+971 4 456 With an open kitchen, funky murals and 7888, apronsandhammers. baskets hanging from its high ceilings, com). Or, for good licensed Salero Tapas & Bodega (+971 4 341 0000, options down this way, head kempinski.com) at Kempinski Mall of to DoubleTree by Hilton. It houses both The MAINE (+971 4 457 6719, themaine.ae) – part American brasserie and part European bistro – serving great seafood, and the always buzzing Ramusake (+971 4 5595 300, ramusake. ae), for modern Japanese.

Bouchon Bakery

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Crab Market

IN THE KNOW

Sublime steaks PRIME68 JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, +971 4 414 3000, jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com The premium beef here is sourced from choice suppliers across the globe and tastes superb, matched by the views from the 68th floor.

STK Rixos Premium Dubai, +971 4 520 0000, togrp.com The Dubai outpost of the worldfamous steak restaurant offers a winning mix of STK classics and dishes created only for Dubai.

JW’S STEAKHOUSE JW Marriott Hotel Dubai, +971 4 607 7977, marriottdiningatjw.ae Something of a Dubai institution, chef Mohammad Iqbal has been in the kitchen for over 20 years and knows each of his (many) regulars’ preferences by heart.

THE FOOD the Emirates looks more hipster eatery than traditional tapas joint. However, the Spanish staff, led by head chef Oscar Leon, ensure the no-nonsense, garlicsmothered tapas are entirely authentic.

There’s a great selection of hot and cold tapas to order, such as Galician-style octopus, along with three types of paella.

LOVELY LATIN AMERICAN There is currently fierce competition in Dubai for the tag of the city’s best Latin American restaurant, and in the thick of it is Waka (+971 4 444 1455, waka. ae) at The Oberoi, Dubai. Here, Chef Roberto Segura dishes up authentic Latin American flavours combined with

Japanese seasonings and using French techniques. It has some of the best ceviche in the city, but make sure you start with a bowl of Wakamole to share. Their welcome twist is the use of smoked avocado.

While you’ll be right to love Coya (+971 4 316 9600, coyarestaurant.com) at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai on Jumeirah Beach (in particular, its Arroz Nikkei – a mix of Chilean sea bass, rice, lime and chilli – is fabulous), we also have a thing for the more casual Garden (+971 56 224 0956, jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com) at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. The chef is Peruvian, the staff are great, the vibe relaxed and the food very good value.

Bridgewater Tavern

IN THE KNOW

Comfort food BRIDGEWATER TAVERN JW Marriott Marquis Dubai +971 4 414 0000, jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com The go-to place to enjoy high quality, filling fare. The fire-cracker calamari and parmesan truffle fries are willing bedfellows with an ice cold brew.

BUSHMAN’S RESTAURANT & BAR Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort +971 4 567 8304, dubai-palm.anantara.com Prime slabs of succulent Aussie meat are the norm here. However, to enjoy it you’ll be faced with the near-impossible task of forgoing the classic beef and mushroom pie.

Bridgewater Tavern

FOODIE DISTRICT

DUBAI DESIGN DISTRICT The stunning Dubai Design District (d3) is home to some of the city’s most cutting edge design and creative firms, as well as The Design Quarter, where visitors will find homegrown restaurant concepts, innovate boutiques and unique art installations.

Concept store meets casual restaurant, The Lighthouse (+971 422 6024, thelighthouse. ae), is headed up by one of Dubai’s best chefs, Izu Ani. The licensed venue has a superb mezze menu – order the marinated salmon with cranberries and baked feta with oregano – if you’re one for sharing. Also licensed here is the quirky (in a good way) Molecule (+971 245 4700, molecule.restaurant), which offers a ‘bistronomy’ (‘bistro’ meets ‘gastronomy’) concept for better-than-bistro-standard food, including a rich risotto with truffle, and Chez Charles Restaurant (+971 512 2444, chezcharlesrestaurant.ae), a modern brasserie which does staples like fish and chips, and carbonara very well.

Molecule

THE LION

Bushman’s Restaurant & Bar

The H Dubai, +971 4 359 2366, hhoteldubai.com Two of the city's top chefs (also of the elsewhere mentioned folly, see 'Made in the UAE, p37) add a touch of class to pub grub staples like the burger, which comes in sourdough topped with veal pancetta.

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Best of the

BRUNCH In the bigger-is-better city of Dubai, the word ‘brunch’ takes on a very different meaning to elsewhere in the world. Here, brunch is not a laid-back midmorning weekend meal to be enjoyed with a friend in a nice café; it is an all-youcan-eat, all-you-can-drink lunchtime feast that involves cuisines from every corner of the globe. A Dubai brunch isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience – and something everyone needs to try at least once during their holiday

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BEST FOR...

Those after a grilling What? 068 Brunch Why? At this 10-course à la carte brunch inspired by James Bond, each dish is named after characters from the films and a three-piece live band sets the tone. On the menu, we spy cold cuts, cheeses, salads, wagyu meatballs and crab cakes, although the chefs also have a license to grill. The US prime short ribs and crispy seabass served with sour cream, mashed potatoes and green beans come highly recommended.

When? Fridays from 1pm to 4pm.

Where? Prime68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. +971 4 414 3000.

Cost? From Dhs495 to Dhs695, depending on the drinks package.

BEST FOR...

A touch of luxury What? Giardino Brunch Why? Meaning ‘garden’ in Italian, Giardino sets the scene for a lush dining experience with its tropical jungle vibe. Located on the ground floor of the fashion-inspired Palazzo Versace Dubai, the venue offers a lavish choice of cuisines to taste, including Italian, Arabic and Indian food, as well as an impressive range of seafood options. Set your sights on the live cooking stations, select a steak cooked to order, or tuck into thick lobster tails while music from a live band adds to the ambiance.

The experience doesn't have to stop when the meal ends, however, as brunch-goers can go for a dip in Ischia swimming pool, and sip post brunch drinks at La Vita Bar. When? Fridays from 1pm to 4pm.

Where? Giardino Restaurant at Palazzo Versace Dubai. +971 4 556 8840.

Cost? From Dhs390 to Dhs720 per person depending on the drinks package. Children aged between six and 12 dine for Dhs195.

THE FOOD

BEST FOR...

French fare

BEST FOR...

Fussy family members

BEST FOR...

Asian flavours

What? Comme Ça Friday Brunch Why? Foodies can sample signature dishes by celebrity chef David Myers, including his famous oxtail tartine, polenta croquettes, grilled king prawns, skirt steak and good old mac & cheese at this super chic brunch. Designed to take you on culinary journey to the south of France, you can relax and enjoy la belle vie as food is served to the table – great for those who want to avoid waiting in line at the buffet. Plus, acclaimed bar guru Sam Ross has designed the drinks.

Before you leave, be sure to snap a selfie at the big, rustic blue door, which is becoming a trending shot on Instagram among Dubai's social set (check out the hashtag #BlueDoorDXB).

When? Fridays from 12.30pm to 4pm.

Where? Bleu Blanc by David Myers at Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai. +971 4 512 5533.

Cost? From Dhs299 to Dhs599 per person, depending on the drinks package.

What? Fork & Cork Why? Taste food from around the world at this crowd-pleasing brunch, which invites you to munch your way through seafood, traditional Arabic ouzi, fresh noodles and Thai, Japanese and Indian faves from live cooking stations. Entertainment includes live music, Wii games, henna tattoos and face painting.

When? Fridays 1pm to 4pm.

Where? Crescendo at Anantara, The Palm Resort & Spa Dubai, +971 4 567 8304.

Cost? From Dhs365 to Dhs735 per person, depending on the drinks package.

What? Lily’s House Brunch Why? Indulge in authentic dim sum creations and delicious dishes prepared at live cooking stations at this vibrant Friday brunch. Load up on starters from the buffet and be sure to stop by the fried noodle salad station before taking your pick of mains freshly prepared to your liking. Spring rolls, khow suey, hand pulled noodles with your choice of toppings, Malaysian man tao pockets, Indonesian satays, curries and pad Thai are just some of the options. Wrap up your meal with a sweet treat from the exotic dessert corner – think hot steamed sweet buns, a green tea chocolate fountain and fried bananas.

When? Fridays from 1pm to 4pm.

Where? Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection Hotels. +971 4 810 9421.

Cost? From Dhs149 to Dhs249 per person, depending on the drinks package. Children aged from four to 12 dine for Dhs75 while those under four years old dine for free.

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Souk Madinat Jumeirah

The Shops

There’s no shortage of retail therapy in Dubai, from mega malls to edgy concept stores and traditional souks. The main malls are open until late. The Dubai Mall, for instance, is open from 10am to 11pm Sunday to Wednesday and from 10am to midnight Thursday to Saturday – enjoy!

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THE SHOPS Bombay Shirt Company

BESPOKE BUYS Few of us can afford a trip to Savile Row and Dubai’s community of nimblefingered tailors and seamstresses is a great alternative. Local fabric stores are in abundance and you can have a made-to-measure suit or dress whipped up in just a few days.

The traditional go-to areas for sharp tailoring include Karama, where Dream Girls (+971 4 337 7287) is a long-standing favourite among ladies who lunch.

Boutique bespoke tailors are also on hand for special occasion glam.

Scissors Tailoring Studio (+971 50 961 7959) at Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah specialises in custom clothing and alterations for women.

Alternatively, you can follow in the footsteps of tennis legend Roger Federer, who has had an outfit whipped up by the master tailoring team at Threads & Tailors (+971 4 347 7719, threadsandtailors.

com) in Al Barsha, which specialises in made-to-measure suits and shirts at reasonable prices.

New kid on the block, Black Amber Dubai (+971 4 4429315, black-amber. com), in Dubailand, promises top-notch tailoring for gentlemen plus readyto-wear clothing under one roof.

Lastly, for some smart back to work attire, custom-shirt store Bombay Shirt Company, in Central Park Towers, DIFC (+971 4 240 0778, bombayshirts. com) lets you select every detail from the fabric to the thread and the buttons, with precise measurements taken to ensure a perfect fit.

Black Amber Dubai

Scissors Tailoring Studio

MEGA MALLS Supersizing the retail scene since the early noughties, the city’s mega malls entice shopaholics to put on their comfiest sneakers and pound the marbled walkways. With over 1,200 stores (and counting), The Dubai Mall (800 38 224 6255, thedubaimall. com) is the grande dame of the city’s

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INGIE Paris

TOP BUY

TWISTED ROOTS The SS18 collection by Dubai-based contemporary womenswear label, Twisted Roots, is inspired

by Barcelona. Tessellation is the sixth collection by Latifa Al Gurg, who works out of a studio in Al Quoz.

Statement pieces include the crop tile jacket and midi tile stripe coat. Available at Robinsons, Dubai Festival City, twsitedroots.ae

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shopping scene and the mother of global retail experiences. Its luxury shopping district Fashion Avenue has recently been expanded to welcome more than 150 luxury brands to the fold, including Boucheron, AQUAZZURA, Philipp Plein and Casa Loewe, among others, with works of art and eateries dotted around to break up your spree.

You can further build your style credentials at INGIE Paris, which offers a stunning collection of evening gowns and cocktail dresses, daywear and knitwear that's designed and handcrafted in Paris.

For haute beauty buys, you can't beat Perfumery & Co, where you can have a personalised consultation that'll point you towards fragrances, skincare and make-up to suit your personality and lifestyle.

After restocking your dressing table, click your heels together like Dorothy and transport yourself to Level Shoes to pick out a pair of designer heels before loading up on even more luxury labels

at anchor brands Bloomingdale’s and Galeries Lafayette Dubai, which has a dedicated glamour area showcasing designer dresses from the likes of Alberta Ferretti, Carolina Herrera, and Jason Wu. There's a profusion of cafés and eateries at which to refuel along the way.

Another power player, Mall of the Emirates (+971 4 409 9000, malloftheemirates.com) has a handsfree shopping service so you can drop off your bulging bags at designated points and have them delivered directly to your hotel. It'll free you up to continue exploring its four floors, anchored by ‘absolutely fabulous’ department store Harvey Nichols Dubai and the high-end Fashion Dome.

Once you're all shopped out you can hit the slopes at Ski Dubai, or enjoy a five-star snack menu by Gary Rhodes, from the comfort of your reclining seat at the 24-screen Vox Cineplex.

Dubai Creek has its own mega mall experience at Dubai Festival City (+971 4 800 332, festivalcentre.com) where mid-range brands rub shoulders with the Singapore-born department store Robinsons. Here you’ll find homeware goodies from the UK’s John Lewis and a collection of exclusive fashion labels. Located on the waterfront with a dedicated promenade, take time out from browsing its 400 stores for a dhow boat ride or to watch the nightly fire, light and water show.

At the other end of the city, fronting a vibrant waterfront residential area, Dubai Marina Mall (+971 4 348 4848, dubaimarinamall.com) is a no brainer if you’re looking to shop at a more leisurely pace. It's compact compared to the city's larger retail havens, and is peppered with a trendy selection of high street brands and a chilled collection of restaurants, many with outdoor terrace seating ideal for a lingering lunch overlooking the water.

The only themed mega mall in the city, Ibn Battuta Mall (+971 4 362 1900, ibnbattutamall.com) pays architectural homage to the travels of

THE SHOPS the legendary Arab explorer of the same name with a succession of interlinked spaces reflecting global culture, from China to India. Wander through the dedicated exhibition before letting loose in the 400-plus stores or hitting the lanes of the busy bowling alley.

LOCAL LABEL Avastavé With founder and creative director Dmitri Ruwan at the helm, this prêt-à-couture luxury fashion brand offers delicately crafted eveningwear made from fine textiles, with handmade details like braided chiffon added by talented Dubai-based artisans. avastave.com

MINI MALLS Not enough time (or patience) to trawl the jumbo malls? Dubai’s growing community of suburban mini malls will hit the spot. Kick-start your mall crawl opposite Burj Al Arab on Jumeirah Beach Road at the aptly named The Mall (+971 4 348 4848, themall.co.ae), which is home to a coterie of 55 hand-selected retailers including French fashion brand Escales and Boho Beachwear.

Further along the road, a stone’s throw from Jumeirah Corniche, is Sunset Mall (+971 4 330 7333, sunsetmall. ae). Be sure to pay a visit to Rivaage, which plays host to international

designers such as Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang and Vivienne Westwood.

With more than 140 stores to explore, the Italian Renaissance themed Mercato Mall (+971 4 344 4161, mercatoshoppingmall.com) is another top stop-off. Label lovers should check out pre-owned designerwear store Bagatelle, while GANT and Charles & Keith are among the high-street stores popular for a fashion fix.

Hugging a corner spot on the adjacent Al Wasl Road is the boutique Galleria Mall (+971 4 344 4434, galleriamall.ae) at which hip stores, such as trendy Californian beachwear label Beach Bunny and Saucettte (the kidswear offshoot of hugely successful local brand Sauce), cater to a wellheeled local and international clientele.

HOMEGROWN HEROES The region’s young design guns are taking the fashion world by storm and many homegrown Emirati and

LOEWE, The Dubai Mall

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The Edit

TOP BUY

ARABIC SANDALS

Middle Eastern brands are thriving.

Haute couture luminary Rami Al Ali rules the regional high-end fashion roost from his Al Wasl Road villa (+971 4 394 5607, ramialali.com). A Paris Fashion Week regular known for his ultra feminine gowns, you can book a personal consultation at his atelier or check out his ready-to-wear line at Harvey Nichols - Dubai.

Another respected designer, Furne One launched his avant garde label Amato Couture in the UAE in 2002 and has an A-list following including Heidi Klum, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez among others. You can shop the stand-alone Amato Luxe boutique located at Dubai Design District (+971 4 443 2449, amatoluxe.com) – think floral-inspired bomber jackets, billowing dresses and ethereal sweeping lace jackets in a pastel palette.

Fashionistas' favourite, United Designers has drawn back the curtain on its revamped store at City Centre Mirdif (+971 4 251 4200, uniteddesigners.ae). Evocative of an Arabian grand bazaar, it houses a gorgeous selection of eveningwear,

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traditional Moroccan kaftans, jalabiyas and chic daywear, so is ideal if you're seeking a special occasion outfit.

The local branch of French fashion institute, Esmod Dubai, is responsible for a wave of fresh graduate talent and you'll be pleased to learn that it has its own dedicated retail outlet, Pôlette Concept Store (+971 50 879 6518), at City Walk. It's the only retail start-up platform in the world to launch university students’ fashion brands, and to stock pieces from celebrated alumni such as Canella Hostal, so shopping there is a little like picking up the wearable version of a future Picasso.

With a flagship store at City Walk II, Bambah (+971 55 224 1538, bambah. com) is the place to go for statement pieces guaranteed to inject some fun into your wardrobe – think generous ruffles, oversized bows and colourful floral prints. The brainchild of UAE-based designer Maha Abdul Rasheed, it's easy to see why stars such as Emma Roberts are fans.

More homegrown talent is in favour with the A-list, with bold designs by Dubai-based Madiyah Al Sharqi

Baldinini’s Arabic Sandals Summer 2018 collection may have been exclusively designed and made for customers in the UAE, but why let that stop you? Handmade in Italy from the highest quality leathers and materials, you can pick from a range of colours.

Available at The Dubai Mall, WAFI Mall and BurJuman.

COOL CONCEPT BEYOUland If shopping on the water floats your boat, head to trendy tourist spot Al Seef where the first ever floating boutique in the region, BEYOUland, is docked. You'll discover 17 abra inspired boats hosting the creations of local and international brands and artists. beyoulanddubai.com

THE SHOPS receiving the nod of approval by actress Sofia Vergara, among others. Make a beeline for her latest collection, which is available at Symphony in The Dubai Mall (+971 4 310 6904, bysymphony.com).

BARGAIN HUNTERS While the discount store phenomenon hasn’t quite made it to Dubai, there are still bargains to be had.

A 30-minute taxi ride out of town, Dubai Outlet Mall (+971 4 423 4666, dubaioutletmall.com) is a repository for previous season style. Bag an affordable new wardrobe from highstreet names like Aldo, Esprit, Monsoon and Mango, with the odd designer find.

If you’re more a fan of Paris Fashion Week than Primark, The Outlet Village (+971 4 317 3999, theoutletvillage. ae) in Jebel Ali is your best bet. Three department stores and more than 125 top brands including Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Juicy Couture and Superdry can be found inside its Tuscan inspired interior. Stylish piazza cafés add to the Italian vibe.

If you have a soft spot for French fashion, check out the So Chic (sochic.ae) boutique at Home and Soul on Al Wasl Road. Raid the rails bursting with pre-loved designer clothes and accessories sourced from the best wardrobes of Dubai.

Similarly, RETOLD (shopretold.com) on Umm Suqeim Road is brimming with preloved steals from the likes of Diane von Furstenberg and Jimmy Choo.

COOL CONCEPT STORES It’s hardly surprising that, with around 200 nationalities residing in Dubai, international design influences are making their mark on the city with a growing cadre of cool concept stores.

The recently-opened The Edit in Al Wasl (+971 4 332 0324, theeditdubai. com) stocks choice ready-to-wear from cult clothing brands including Paper London, Acler and AQ/AQ., plus statement jewellery, accessories and beauty products. There's also a fab coffee bar downstairs and popups, and art exhibitions upstairs.

BEYOUboutique (+971 4 333 0373, beyoudubai.com) at Dar Al Wasl Mall in Jumeirah, was founded by Sheikha Maytha Hasher Al Maktoum and Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, and houses more than 100 new and emerging brands such as AWS, Nigwah, Homa Q, and Maysson.

Popular creative hub Dubai Design District (d3), which is dedicated to startups, naturally has its finger on the pulse with d3 Collective (+971 4 554 3540, dubaidesigndistrict.com) a premier platform for established and emerging names such as Osheq, DRESSADDICT

by Artem & Victor and Taupe.

Equally edgy is O Concept Store (+971 4 345 5557, oconceptstore. ae) in Jumeirah, which combines fashion and art and attracts young and passionate designers, artists and collectors from all over the world.

Comptoir 102 (+971 4 385 4555, comptoir102.com), nestled in old Jumeirah, has a laid-back vibe with an organic café, garden and terrace area boasting an eclectic mix of

United Designers

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fashion, homewares and furniture.

Homebodies will adore Tribe bespoke home decor studio, which is part of The Collective in the courtyard in Al Quoz (+971 50 142 8248, tribedubai.com), and a fantastic treasure trove of unique accessories and one-of-a-kind finds that you can slip into your suitcase.

AN OPEN-AIR RETAIL AFFAIR A growing number of al fresco shopping spots add character to the shopping scene, from plush Europeanstyle boulevards to artisan markets selling handicrafts you can't find anywhere else. At La Mer (800 637 227, lamerdubai.ae), stylish boutiques – think Via Rodeo, Trina Turk and Beach Bunny – rub shoulders with cool cafés along a strip of golden sand just off Jumeirah Beach Road.

Over at Dubai Creek, Al Seef (800 637227, alseef.ae) delivers a cultural vibe with its setting inspired by a traditional Arabian neighbourhood.

There you can pick up everything from high-end fashion to Emirati handicrafts.

For a more modern feel, City Walk (+971 4 317 3999, citywalk.ae) has a profusion of funky designer-centric boutiques such as Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors, M Missoni and Whistles, among others, as well as upmarket Parisian department store Le BHV Marais. It is also home to multi-designer boutique Voguish, which is a go-to for the latest modest Arab fashion trends.

Nearby on Al Wasl Road, BoxPark (+971 4 317 3999, boxpark.ae), draws a hip crowd to its shipping containers housing contemporary fashion from the likes of Urbanist and OnePiece.

At the Dubai Marina end of town, The Beach at JBR (+971 80 063 7227, thebeach.ae) blends boho chic market action with holidayaccessories-oriented stores including Sauce-on-Sea, bordered by an esplanade packed with family-friendly eateries and attractions.

TOP BUY

CAPRITOUCH Ramp up the glam factor for your Arabian nights out (and guard against the chill of the air con) by draping a beautifully designed kaftan or kefiah over your shoulders.

Italian brand Capritouch has a new collection that's exclusively available at its store in The Dubai Mall. Available in five different styles with a variety of colours and patterns, each is made from silk, cotton or wool for a touch of luxury.

Dhs810 or Dhs1,710. capritouch.ae

IN-MALL EATERIES

Stop for a bite to eat

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TIM HORTONS, MALL OF THE EMIRATES

TAQADO MEXICAN KITCHEN, MERCATO MALL

TWO AT SYMPHONY, THE DUBAI MALL

This newly-opened branch of the popular Canadian café and bake shop is the only place in the region that you can get your hands on the new line-up of hot and cold drinks (until around 24 July) – think Belgium Hot Chocolate, Salted Caramel Lattes and Passion Fruit Lemonade, teamed with Timbits. timhortons.com

This popular homegrown concept celebrates Mexican food in all its glory.

Simply pick a filling (such as chicken, beef, or Portobello mushroom) to be served in a taco, burrito, quesadilla or salad bowl, and then layer on the toppings like sour cream, salsa, guacamole and cheese for a delicious, made-to-order meal. taqado.com

Located in Fashion Avenue, this elegant boutique café offers comfort food, beautiful bakes and indulgent desserts tailored to the local palette.

It's the brainchild of sisters Mouza and Salama Alabbar – culinary master and the brains behind the original Symphony fashion boutique respectively. @twoatsymphony

THE SHOPS

Tribe

SOUK SPECTACULAR The emirate is famous for its atmospheric souks, which are a treasure trove for everything from gold jewellery to aromatic spices. Put your best bartering skills to the test (it’s the done thing) at the glittering Dubai Gold Souk on the Deira side of Dubai Creek. A hub for gold traders since the 1930s, its 300 or so shops are thronged by tourists seeking a gilded buy. It's easy to arrive by taxi, but if you really want to ‘go local’ hop aboard a motorised abra at Bur Dubai Abra Station and set sail for Deira Old Souk Abra Station (operating from 6am to midnight, Dhs1 per person per trip, see rta.ae).

Close by, the blink and you’ll miss it Spice Souk is home to a fragrant clutch of market stalls fronted by hessian sacks overflowing with aromatic spices.

Stock up on the best Iranian saffron, the Emirati spice mix bezar, as well as pungent dried local lemons to add

a citrusy note to a stew or tagine.

For a fragrant buy of a different kind, head to the Perfume Souk, which is great for getting your hands on the traditional Arabian scent, oud, as well as potent essential oils.

Dubai Textile Souk, back on the opposite bank of Dubai Creek, is a fabric nirvana for shoppers with an eye on bespoke tailoring. The colourful souk has everything from swathes of sari silk to bolts of embroidered cotton.

For a more polished experience, head to Souk Madinat Jumeirah (+971 4 366 8888, jumeirah.com), which has been designed in the style of an authentic Arabian marketplace, and explore the labyrinthine lanes lined with barrows and stalls selling souvenirs, jewellery, oud and other trinkets.

Similarly, Souk Al Bahar (+971 4 362 7011/12, soukalbahar.ae) in Downtown Dubai has over 100 shops selling everything from carpets to handicrafts, jewellery, art and perfume.

LOCAL LABEL Desert Cove by Mosika Abu Zeid Mosika switched her career as a lawyer (representing clients such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci) to create easy-towear, affordable, modest fashion. Desert Cove launched in 2016 and is a hit among the region's trend-conscious hijabis and those who want a little extra coverage. desertcovefashion.com

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The Green Planet

The Activities

Sleep is overrated. With all that Dubai has to offer, we say see and do as much as you can during your stay and save those zzz’s for the flight home

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THE ACTIVITIES

Laguna Waterpark

SPLASHING AROUND Belly flops and swan dives are par for the course at Dubai’s gold standard water parks, with fun for water babies of all ages. The latest on the scene is Laguna Waterpark at La Mer (800 637 227, lagunawaterpark.com), which has four different zones – Splash, Slide, Surf and Relax – with all manner of hair-raising rides to hurl yourself down.

The central Water Slide Tower is at the heart of the action, with cool features including five rides plus a family zone, lazy river, and pool lounge with swim-up juice bar. The star attraction, however, is the WaveOz 180 Florider – the first of its kind in the GCC and one of only three in the world – where you can tackle the competition wave on a body board or stand-up board. Tickets are priced at Dhs159. Open daily from 10am to 8pm.

Located in front of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Wild Wadi Water Park (advance booking via +971 4 303 4992, arabian-adventures.com) was first on the scene, however, and it remains a popular choice today, with over 30 rides and attractions. From kid-friendly slides and the relaxing lazy river to the truly terrifying Jumeirah Sceirah (which propels you to speeds of 80 km/h), it’s wet and wild all the way.

Over on the crescent of Palm Jumeirah, Aquaventure Waterpark (advance booking via +971 4 303 4888, arabian-adventures.com or City Sightseeing Dubai kiosks at major malls) at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai delivers 17 hectares of H2O action. Dare to make the dramatic descent that is the Leap of Faith, jump in a two-person inner tube and journey through the Tower of Neptune to a shark-filled lagoon, or relax in a private poolside cabana.

Wild Wadi Water Park

Aquaventure Waterpark

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ASK A LOCAL Stephen King Lecturer, Middlesex University Dubai The historic Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), docked at Port Rashid, offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience one of the greatest marvels of naval engineering. It's a hotel, but its restaurants and bars are open to visitors.

In Jebel Ali, Legoland Water Park (advance bookings via +971 4 303 4992, arabian-adventures. com) at Dubai Parks and Resorts is designed especially for families with kids aged two to 12. Slide, splash and swim through 15 Lego-inspired water slides, raft rides and pools or construct your own Lego raft.

For something on a smaller scale, head to JBR where you can find AquaFun (aquafun.ae) outdoor inflatable water park, which challenges you to run, jump and slide your way over 74 obstacles without falling off.

Open daily from 9am to 6pm.

EXPERIENCE SNOW AND ICE Where else but Dubai can you stroll along the beach in the morning and go skiing on real snow in the afternoon? A winter wonderland in the middle of the desert, Ski

Dubai (advance booking via +971 4 303 4888, arabian-adventures. com or City Sightseeing Dubai kiosks at major malls) at Mall of the Emirates boasts the world’s first indoor black run, a waddle of people-friendly penguins and is the de facto destination for skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing.

Don’t fret if you haven’t packed your salopettes, as you can hire clothing and equipment on-site. Book a lesson or watch the free penguin parade between 2pm and 8pm daily.

An Olympic-sized rink, Dubai Ice Rink (advance bookings +971 4 303 4992, arabian-adventures. com or City Sightseeing Dubai kiosks at major malls) at The Dubai Mall is the perfect spot to cool off with public sessions for beginner and intermediate skaters. Catch a snowflake on your tongue at one of the regular snowfall sessions, with Dubai Ice Rink

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THE ACTIVITIES

The Lost Chambers Aquarium

Penguin Pal skating aids available for little ones (minimum one metre tall) and Snowmen for wobbly adults or kids 12 years or above. Plus, you can have a cycling showdown with friends by riding the IceBykes – they're like tricycles that glides across the ice – which get rolled out for evening fun. (Dhs80 per person for a half-hour session, including safety gear).

FUN ON THE WATER Watersports fans are spoilt for choice in Dubai. Get out on the water and enjoy the best views of the skyline on a jet-ski tour. Jet Ski Sightseeing Tours (advance booking via +971 4 303 4888, arabian-adventures.com) invite you to follow your guide on a safe, set route across the warm Arabian waters on

the latest Sea-Doo jet-skis either as a driver or passenger – you can take turns with a friend (each jet-ski can accommodate two people). A Go-Pro camera can be rented and fitted to your jet-ski for an additional cost.

Younger family members can dip their toes into the maritime lifestyle with a sailing lesson or short course

by Watercooled Dubai (+971 4 887 6771, watercooleddubai.com), based at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai - Jumeirah Beach, while seasoned sailors can hire a Hobie catamaran or RS500 performance dinghy. From Dhs200 per hour.

MEET THE MARINE LIFE Dunk your head beneath the blue Arabian Gulf waters to discover more

of Dubai’s coolest attractions. Home to over 65,000 marine animals, The Lost Chambers Aquarium (advance bookings via +971 4 303 4992, arabianadventures.com or City Sightseeing Dubai kiosks at major malls) at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai will enchant visitors of all ages. It has over 20 themed exhibits housing marine creatures from all over the world. Book a behind-the-scenes tour or be brave and dive with sharks.

Besides its retail pull, The Dubai Mall is home to Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (advance booking +971 4 303 4888, arabian-adventures. com or CitySightseeing Dubai kiosks at major malls), one of the largest suspended aquariums on the planet.

Marvel at more than 140 species of sea life, including over 300 sharks and

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TOP PICK

Opera Gallery Got an eye for contemporary art? Be sure to devote some time to viewing the stunning collection of artworks at Opera Gallery in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). It is part of a global network of 12 exhibition spaces by the Opera Gallery Group, which 58

is the brainchild of French art dealer Gilles Dyan.

Just like its international counterparts, the Dubai galley has a carefully curated programme of exhibitions, with a heavy focus on presenting a selection of major modern and contemporary works, mostly by established artists.

As a case in point, renowned Spanish artist Manolo Valdes recently held his first exhibition in the Middle East there, and installed five mustsee sculptures in the area.

There is plenty to discover over the summer months.

Building 3, Gate Village, DIFC. Open daily (check for timings). operagallery.com

THE ACTIVITIES

HIT THE TRACK

Supercars are a common sight in Dubai – even the police force has a Bugatti Veyron and a Lamborghini Aventador, among other cars, in its fleet – and motoring fans will be pleased to learn that you can do more than snap a selfie next to these gleaming vehicles. At Dubai Autodrome (+971 4 367 8700, dubaiautodrome.com) you can slip behind the wheel of a single-seater F3 race car, McLaren, Audi TT or R8 supercar. Track experiences combine classroom and behind the wheel training from a professional racing driver, before you’re let loose to do a few laps on your own.

The complex is also home to Dubai Kartdrome (pictured), which has a 500-metre indoor track suitable for kids aged seven and above, that can handle 10 karters at one time.

The1.2-kilometre-long outdoor circuit is designed for more confident drivers who can definitely test their mettle on its challenging 17 corners, tunnel and bridge and take on fierce competition.

rays, or rent some scuba gear and sidle up alongside the inhabitants of the 10-million-litre tank (no diving experience required). Meanwhile, the zoo offers a sneak peek at the habits of other water loving creatures such as penguins and giant spider crabs; but the star of the show is the famous 750kg King Croc.

Conservation is the buzzword at the turtle lagoon at Jumeirah Al Naseem (+971 4 366 8888, jumeirah. com), home to the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project, which is run in collaboration with Emirates Wildlife Society. To date, the project has seen the release of over 560 rescued sea turtles back into Dubai’s waters and it's here that they're nursed back to health. It is open daily, with 20-minute feeding sessions taking place at 11am on Wednesdays.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN From whizzing down the side of Burj Khalifa like a stunt double to skydiving like a pro and having a close encounter with creepy crawlies in the desert, you can experience an adrenaline rush without the risk at the augmented reality and virtual reality theme park VR Park (vrparkdubai. com), at The Dubai Mall. The two-storey venue is packed with games, rides and experiences to suit all ages.

The kids will be bouncing off the walls at the region’s largest indoor trampoline park, Flip Out Dubai (600 567 568, flipout.ae) in Al Quoz, which boasts more than 200 interconnecting trampolines and 10 trampoline-based attractions, including the Double Decker Kids’ Arena for little ones.

Just around the corner is another well-sprung facility, Bounce (+971 4 321

Bounce

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X-Line Dubai Marina

1400, bounce.ae), which also has wall running, foam pits, dodgeball, and the X-Park Adventure Challenge Course with its zip line, bouldering wall and sea of pipes for nimble feet to navigate.

Get them thinking about their career choices early at edutainment centre KidZania (advance bookings via +971 4 303 4992, arabian-adventures.com or City Sightseeing Dubai kiosks at major malls), which is located at The Dubai Mall. There, little ones can try their hand at 80 different jobs, from Emirates A380 pilot (there’s even a simulator) to chef.

Join the gamers who flock to Hub Zero (advance bookings +971 4 303 4992, arabian-adventures.com) at City Walk where you can take out the Resident Evil bad guys on a trackless 3D interactive zombie hunt, don vision-enhancing goggles for a game of Battlefield, and take your seat in the 4D cinema experience for Asura’s Wrath, which comes

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complete with leg ticklers, vibrating seats and water and wind effects.

OliOli in Al Quoz (+971 4 432 3232, olioli.ae) curates content from the best children’s museums, science centres and art studios from North America, Asia and Europe. Kids can take part in hands-on activities designed to nurture curiosity, imagination and exploration, with eight galleries spread over two floors. A standout feature is the region's first textile playground by artist Toshiko MacAdam – a large-scale structure weighing 1,000 kilos, made from brightlycoloured crocheted and knotted nylon.

Experience what it's like to be at the centre of an elephant herd or in the deepest ocean depths at Orbi Dubai at City Centre Mirdif (theplaymania.com).

The first Orbi outside of Japan, it fuses nature content by BBC Earth with cuttingedge technology by SEGA to immerse you into the natural world via a multisensory experience that's sure to wow.

IN THE KNOW

A flying visit Zip lining is all the rage in the UAE right now, with a number of new sites cropping up across the emirates. Brave souls can try it first-hand at XLine Dubai Marina, which will whizz you over land and water at speeds of up to 80km/h.

From the take-off point at Amwaj Towers, 170 metres above the water, you'll descend over the marina all the way down to ground level at Dubai Marina Mall. You can go solo (Dhs650), or rope in a friend for a double drop (Dhs1,200). Open daily from 9am to 5pm. You must be aged from 12 to 65 years, taller than 130cm, weighing in at between 50100kg, and in good medical health in order to take part. +971 4 457 3212, xdubai.com/xline

New to the family-centric collection of activiities in and around the popular Kite Beach strip is XPark Jr. (+971 4 328 4175, xparkjr.com) play park, which blends desert and forest influences to create an all-new adventure destination.

Kids get to splash in streams, climb trees and hang out in treehouses as well as explore meandering paths, cascading fountains and the onsite petting zoo. With a mud kitchen also part of the outdoor fun, dont forget to pack a change of clothes.

FEEL ON TOP OF THE WORLD No prizes for guessing what is Dubai’s number one visitor attraction. At 456 metres above sea level, the observation decks at the world’s tallest tower, At The Top, Burj Khalifa, may not invite you all the way to the tip – that’d be

the radio mast at 828 metres – but they’re high enough to give you a head rush. Step inside the high-speed elevator and be transported in the blink of an eye to the entry point on Level 124, which offers panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Brave souls can move onto the outdoor deck on Level 125 for more prime vistas. Premium ticketholders for At The Top SKY will enjoy VIP access to the highest observation deck on Level 148, a private tour guide and exclusive lounge access.

ALL THE FUN OF THE DUBAI FOUNTAIN A major draw on the tourist wish list is The Dubai Fountain. With thousands of robotic jets hidden beneath the 30-acre Burj Khalifa lake, it’s the tallest

ASK A LOCAL Writer and mum of two, Michelle Wranik-Hicks I loathe over-developed beaches, so one of my favourites is Black Palace Beach off Al Sufouh road.

The water is clean and clear and you can see all the way up the coast to Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

The Dubai Fountain

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THE ACTIVITIES

IMG Worlds of Adventure

performing fountain in the world. Set to a rotating musical repertoire featuring the recorded likes of Andrea Bocelli and Lionel Ritchie, as well as Arab and African artists, the visual artistry will give you goose bumps. Its powerful jets shoot water 500 feet into the air – the equivalent of a 50-storey building.

Shows take place daily at 1pm and 1.30pm (1.30pm and 2pm on Fridays) and every 30 minutes from 6pm to 11pm. Plump for a prime viewing spot from a lakeside restaurant table, or catch it for free from the Waterfront Promenade. Those who want to get a bit nearer can step onto The Dubai Fountain Boardwalk for a stroll past all the action – you’ll be just nine metres away from the jets at its closest point.

Open from 5pm to 11pm daily. Dhs20 per person (for ages four and over).

Tickets are available at the fountain promenade, Burj Park and At the Top, Burj Khalifa ticket counters.

For fountain fun on a slightly smaller scale, the IMAGINE light, water and pyrotechnics spectacular at Dubai Festival City is sure to impress. Giant aqua screens, surround sound, lasers and the largest water screen projection in the world combine with 30 fountains to create a breathtaking display. The show takes place hourly every evening from 8pm to 10pm (11pm at weekends).

THEME PARK THRILLS Thrill-seekers, screamers and scaredy cats can get their air-conditioned theme park kicks at IMG Worlds of Adventure (advance bookings via +971 4 303 4992, arabian-adventures.com or City Sightseeing Dubai kiosks at major

malls), the world’s largest indoor park, which has four zones: Cartoon Network, Marvel, Lost Valley-Dinosaur Adventure and IMG Boulevard. It’s an animation superhero love fest with more than 20 rides and attractions, including a first-of-its-kind Hulk 3D ride with 18 IMAX projectors and a seriously bone-chilling Haunted Hotel (for those aged 15 and over). Adrenaline fiends will feel their heart rate rocket on The Velociraptor roller coaster, which hits speeds of up to 100kph in just 2.5 seconds.

Gentler fun can be had at the Ben 10 5D cinema experience and at live stage shows featuring characters from LazyTown. There are 25 retail outlets plugging original merchandise.

Next up, Dubai Parks and Resorts (advance bookings via +971 4 303 4992, arabian-adventures.com) in

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Jebel Ali, has an impressive roster of rides that are spread across three theme parks and a water park.

Wet and wild fun of the tot-friendly variety is mandatory at Legoland Water Park. Once you’ve dried off, you can explore the six themed lands at the adjacent Legoland Dubai, home to 40 rides, shows and attractions, and 15,000 scale Lego models.

Fans of the Hindi film scene can get their Shakrukh Khan on at Bollywood Parks Dubai with a host of rides and attractions inspired by nine allsinging and dancing Bollywood films, complete with 30 colourful live shows a day. Cricket fans will love Lagaan, a motion simulator ride based on the cricket-themed film of the same name.

Sit down and strap yourself in for the ride of a lifetime at Motiongate Dubai with rollercoasters, multimedia ‘dark rides’ and live shows based on blockbuster film characters including Ghostbusters, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, The Hunger Games and The Smurfs, who even have their own village.

Fear factor alert: not all rides are suitable for tender young minds – or adults of a nervous disposition – so check before you ride.

Linking the parks together is Riverland Dubai, a free-to-enter retail and dining zone set on a (manmade) river. Divided into The French Village, Boardwalk, India Gate and The Peninsula, there are more than 50 shops and eateries to choose from.

GET A FALCON’S EYE VIEW A sure-fire way to make the folks back home green with envy is to tick skydiving off the bucket list. With Skydive Dubai (skydivedubai.ae) you can leap out of an aeroplane, tethered to a professional, for a tandem jump experience over Palm Jumeirah. It’s the best vantage point from which to see the scale of the fronded island – unless you’ve got your eyes closed. (The Skydive Dubai Palm drop zone is open all summer long but bear in mind the desert campus is closed in July and August.)

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Seawings (advance bookings +971 4 303 4992, arabian-adventures.com) offers scenic flights, including the Dubai Creek Silver tour, a 40-minute ‘dock to dock’ seaplane excursion above Dubai Creek, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa and more.

Alternatively, take a helicopter ride (advance bookings +971 4 303 4992, arabian-adventures.com) for a bird's eye view of the iconic landmarks and make the most of the incredible photo opportunities along the way. Private charter flights available upon request.

For an exhilarating experience that keeps your skills firmly at the helm, iFly

BE PAMPERED

Dubai (+971 4 231 6292, theplaymania. com) lets you defy gravity in its indoor wind tunnel.

DELVE INTO HISTORY Peel back the shiny sweetie wrapper that defines modern-day Dubai and discover the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Step back in time with a visit to Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (+971 4 353 9090, dubaiculture.gov.ae) on the bank of Dubai Creek. In the early 1900s the area was populated by affluent merchants and traders and bordered

by Al Fahidi Fort, which houses Sole Lounge by Margaret Dabbs

SOLE LOUNGE BY MARGARET DABBS Dabbs' first clinic to open outside of London, Sole Lounge in Level Shoes, The Dubai Mall, is ideal for those seeking results-driven, anti-ageing treatments for hands and feet. We rate the medical pedicure, which is a total overhaul for tired feet. Dhs465 (for 45 minutes).+971 4 501 6688, levelshoes.com/sole-lounge

Saray Spa

SARAY SPA Unwind at this pampering haven that is famous for its soothing treatments. Every Sunday to Thursday, book any massage between 9am and 2pm and you'll receive 50 percent off. At JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. +971 4 4 414 6754, jwmarriottmarquisdubailife. com/sarayspa

OLA SPA Featuring a traditional Moroccan Hammam treatment room offering both modern and ancient healing practices, Ola Spa, at Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection Hotels, is a pampering Polynesian paradise. The Imperial Hammam For Two is priced at Dhs1,595 (120 minutes). +971 4 810 9660, experiencelapita.com/spa

Ola Spa

THE ACTIVITIES Alserkal Avenue

Dubai Museum. Today, its collection of beautifully preserved traditional wind tower homes are museums, art galleries and cultural spaces connected by a maze of winding alleyways and quiet courtyards.

Etihad Museum (etihadmuseum. dubaiculture.ae) tells the story of the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. Located next to Union House in Jumeirah, the striking structure resembles a manuscript with seven tapering columns representing the pens used to sign the unification agreement. Photographs, films, documents, personal artefacts and interactive pavilions provide a fascinating insight into the history of the UAE, before and after unification.

Dubai also has a thriving art scene that runs the full gamut of styles and influences. Hip art hub Alserkal Avenue (+971 50 556 9797, alserkalavenue. ae), in the Al Quoz industrial district, comprises around 15 galleries including The Third Line (+971 4 341 1367, thethirdline.com) and Gulf Photo Plus (+971 4 380 8545, gulfphotoplus.com).

Street art initiatives are also adding

new creative impetus to the city’s public spaces. Check out the Dubai Walls project (dubaiwalls.com) at City Walk where the work of 16 renowned artists including Ron English, Nick Walker and Blek Le Rat take pride of place, or the Dubai Street Museum project on 2nd December Street in Satwa, which draws on themes from the UAE’s history and heritage for an eye-catching stroll.

For a high-brow evening out, get tickets to Dubai Opera (+971 4 440 8888, dubaiopera.com), which offers an impressive line-up of local and international operatic, ballet and musical productions. The building itself is an architectural wonder with its dhow-shaped design by Janus Rostock a stylish tribute to Dubai’s maritime history.

The emirate’s first in-residence show, La Perle by Dragone (advance bookings via +971 4 303 4992, arabianadventures.com) is directed by the legendary Franco Dragone and takes place inside a purpose-built, state-ofthe-art aqua theatre at Al Habtoor City.

The performance is awash with aerial feats and cutting-edge technology

– it's the only place in Dubai where it literally rains indoors. During the summer, performances will run at 7pm and 9.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday and at 4pm and 7pm on Saturday.

SWING INTO ACTION Most of the world’s golfing greats have teed off onto Dubai’s flawless fairways and the emirate is recognised as a major golf destination. The first all-grass championship golf course in the Middle East when it opened in 1988, Emirates Golf Club (+971 4 380 1234, dubaigolf. com) remains a firm favourite among Dubai old timers and club-toting visitors. Annual host of the 'Major of the Middle East', the European Tour Omega Dubai Desert Classic, it has two 18-hole par 72 championship courses and an iconic clubhouse inspired by the shape of a traditional Bedouin tent.

The Majlis course has open horizons and stretches of sand along with more traditional bunkers, while the 2005 Nick Faldo-redesigned course has a wadi (valley) running through it. The Faldo is also the only 18-hole course

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in the region to offer night golf.

Swanky residential community and golf club Jumeirah Golf Estates (+971 4 818 2000, jumeirahgolfestates.com) has a duo of Greg Norman-designed championship courses, Fire and Earth, inspired by the great parkland courses of Europe and North America. The Earth course is home to the annual DP World Tour Championship, the grand finale of the European Tour’s 47-tournament Race to Dubai.

The city's newest course, Trump International Golf Club, Dubai is the first in the Middle East to bear the Trump brand name. The par 71 course, designed by Gil Hanse, features the largest clubhouse in Dubai, a 9-hole, par 3 academy course and doublesided driving range with LED lighting so you can play well into the evening.

Arabian Ranches Golf Club (+971 4 366 4700, arabianranchesgolfdubai. com) offers an 18-hole, par 72 signature desert-style grass course designed

by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design. Practise facilities include a 9-hole par 3 course, floodlit driving range and putting green.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS While it gets way too hot to spend too much time outdoors during the peak summer months, there are still plenty of ways to get back to nature. Escape the city and head to Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa (+971 4 832 9900, al-maha.com) located in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, which offers a number of great day packages. The Equestrian Package (Dhs1,350 per person) includes two 60-minute horse riding sesssions, allday access to the main swimming pool and spa facilities and lunch.

Tucked away in Al Barsha South is Dubai Butterfly Garden (+971 4 422 8902, dubaibutterflygarden. com), which is home to thousands of species of butterfly housed in temperature-controlled domes. Stroll through their habitat as the kamikaze insects flit and flutter around you, and

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be sure to check out the museum.

Having recently welcomed a fresh new wave of attractions, The Yard (meraas.ae) in the up-and-coming Al Khawaneej area, is the place to go for some tasty bites from the food trucks at Last Exit D89 and stroll along the shaded walking trails. Throw a coin in the wishing well, check out the street art and let the little ones pet the farm animals. If you're feeling romantic, you can write a message on a padlock and fix it to the railings of Promise Bridge.

Active types can swing through the trees, Tarzan style, at Aventura Nature Adventure Park (aventuraparks.com), in Mushrif Park’s ghaf tree forest. No walk in the park, it features a series of elevated obstacles of varying levels of

IN THE KNOW

Unlimited fun Fabyland, +971 4 288 1490, fabyland.ae If the kids are driving you up the hotel walls, Fabyland is a sure bet for helping them run off some steam.

For children of all ages, this indoor entertainment zone features oodles of rides and attractions, such as the Family Swing, Clip N Climb, Bumper Cars and much more. It has a soft play area for younger customers, as well as a cool line-up of video game machines. Simply load up on credit to play. At Dubai Festival City.

Archery at Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa

difficulty. From the low-lying Rangers circuit to the high-altitude zip-line, there’s something for adventurers of all abilities. During the summer, it operates extended hours (from 10am to 7.30pm on weekdays and from 9am to 10pm from Thurs to Sun) so you can beat the heat by navigating the illuminated park under the starry night sky.

At Zabeel Park, be sure to check out Dubai Frame (+971 800 900; dubaiframe.com), which houses a 150-metre-high observation deck offering stunning views of the city.

It's a bit of a cheat, but you'll feel like you've stepped into a tropical jungle at The Green Planet (advance bookings +971 4 303 4992, arabianadventures.com). Located at City Walk, the five-level glass bio-dome recreates the ecosystem of a tropical forest, with over 3,000 plants and animals and the world’s largest indoor man-made tree. As you descend from the top of the dome via a winding path, you’ll encounter exotic animals along the way, such as toucans, macaws, porcupines and even a sloth.

Photo by Mohammad Sulaiman (@mohdphotoz)

THE ACTIVITIES Dubai Frame

BEACHES AND POOL ACTION If you've travelled here from wet and windy climes and are desperate for some sun, the temperature's still bearble in short bursts in the early morning and towards the end of the day – just be sure to apply SPF and stay well hydrated. The emirate's newest stretch of beach, La Mer (meraas.ae) in Jumeirah 1, features more than 130 shops, cafés and restaurants flanked by 2.5 kilometres of sandy coastline.

If it gets too hot you can still enjoy the scenery by grabbing a bite at one of the numerous licensed eateries.

Kite Beach (kitebeach.ae) at the Umm Suqeim end of Jumeirah Beach Road is a firm favourite among the kite-surfing fraternity (lessons available if you dare) with a community vibe centred around a clutch of on-trend cafés and family-friendly facilities, such as XDubai Skatepark and XPark Jr. adventure park.

For a dash of glamour, The Beach at JBR (+971 800 637 227, thebeach.ae) is sure to appeal, with its meandering walkway bisecting a profusion of cafés, restaurants and shops and a stunning stretch of sand with a premier view of the under-construction Ain Dubai Ferris wheel located on the upcoming Bluewaters Island development.

Nearby, Azure Beach at Rixos Premium Dubai (+ 971 52 777 9472, azure-beach.com) has a Mediterranean vibe, with comfy

poolside cabanas and giant inflatables to mess around on. More fun can be had at Barasti pool and beach at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina (+971 4 318 1313, barastibeach. com), which has a watersports centre offering everything from windsurfing to sailing. On Palm Jumeirah, RIVA Beach Club (+971 4 430 9466, riva-beach.com) is popular among the social set. Hire a day bed for much-needed shade and take a dip in the temperaturecontrolled swimming pool.

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Maiden Shanghai

The Nightlife

Evenings out are packed full of fun, with Thursday and Friday nights usually the busiest. The legal age to drink alcohol in Dubai – and enter a nightclub – is 21, so if you're blessed with youthful looks, be sure to bring your ID. We’ve included taxi references to help you find your way 68

THE NIGHTLIFE NSTASIA is the new resident act at Q’s Bar and Lounge

LIVE MUSIC LEGENDS The city is awash with live musical talent, from Aussie rockers and Filipina soul divas to Britpop artists ready to entertain you with their tunes.

Indian gastropub and social spot Bar Baar (taxi: Majestic Hotel & Tower, +971 4 501 2631), meaning ‘again and again’ in Hindi, hosts regular live music sessions with an in-house band and visiting musicians, for a cross-cultural after dark experience.

Open daily from noon to 3am.

For a dose of singer/songwriter talent, head to Q’s Bar and Lounge (taxi: Palazzo Versace Dubai, +9714 556 8865), Quincy Jones’ first-ever bar and lounge, which welcomes an impressive roster of resident acts. Versatile artist NSTASIA, a Haitian-American singer and songwriter, is the venue's latest resident. She'll be electrifying the stage until 8 September. Simply unwind in the living room styled space and enjoy

her powerful falsettos. Open from 7pm to 2am, Tuesday to Saturday.

With a global reputation for awesome live music, it's no surprise to find a Hard Rock Café in town (taxi: Dubai Festival City Mall, +971 4 232 8900). Check out wall-to-wall musical memorabilia, including a bolero jacket worn by the late Prince and Mick Fleetwood’s Tama drums, before rocking out to live and loud sounds. Open from noon to 2am Monday to Sunday.

Ramp up the fun factor at Lock, Stock & Barrel, which has two venues in the city (taxi: Grand Millennium Dubai, +971 4 514 9195 and taxi: Rixos Premium Dubai, +971 4 520 0049) each spanning two floors and kitted out with pool tables and 'stool and booth' seating fronting the main act’s central stage. The JBR venue is open from 4pm to 3am Monday to Friday and 2pm to 3am on Saturday and Sunday, while the Barsha Heights venue has slightly different opening hours on Fridays, from 1pm to 3am.

Biffy Clyro at Hard Rock Café

Lock, Stock & Barrel

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DUBAI INSTITUTIONS

Bar Rumba

PLACES THAT PACK A PUNCH Dubai is brimming with venues that think outside the box. Latin-American hot spot Bar Rumba at Asia de Cuba Dubai (taxi: Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, +971 4 511 7333) is sure to blow away the cobwebs. Its Thursday Supper Club (from 9pm until late) offers an evening of Chino-Latino cuisine – think sushi, adobe chicken avocado purée, glazed sweet potato and crispy calamari – paired with house drinks and a live salsa band turning up the heat. Dhs195 per person.

Or, be transported to the backstreet speakeasies of Asia at The Unlucky Cat (taxi: Taj Dubai, +971 50 650 4988), a quirky bar complete with neon sign of a maneki-neko (a lucky, 'waving' cat). There's something going on each night of the week, but we suggest you go on Sundays when you can swap a postcard or currency from a recent trip for a drink on the house.

Open daily from 6pm until late.

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For dinner and a show in an intimate setting, Maison Rouge (taxi: Conrad Dubai, +971 4 352 8169) will bowl you over with cabaret, jazz and modern ballet – all in the space of a few hours. The live performances by a team of international artists (including a pianist, saxophonist and electric violinist) are each teamed with creative cuisine, with an aim to tell the story of the relationship between gastronomy and art. The dishes are as dramatic as you'd expect – think drinks served in roses and smoking ice displays. Performances begin at 9pm daily and go on well into the night.

We’re not sure why it hasn’t been done before, but Stereo Arcade (taxi: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach, +971 52 618 2424) combines an arcade housing over 50,000 games with a slushy machine, hotdog stand and more. The stereo element sees the hi-tech club play '80s and '90s hits every weekend.

Open daily from 6pm to 3am.

Dubai is home to a few spots that are famous for delivering an evening to talk about. Barasti (taxi: Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, +971 4 399 333) has been ruling the roost for 20 years, pulling in thousands of revellers every weekend. It combines live music, daily sunbathing sessions (when the weather's good), a sand-betweenyour-toes dance floor and more serving stations than you can shake an empty glass at.

The Irish Village (+971 4 282 4750, theirishvillage.com) in Al Garhoud is another much-loved gem. The haunt of many a local (friendly) expat, the traditional interior opens out onto a large garden dotted with picnic tables. It has a great line-up of events that take place year-round. There's a second outpost at Riverland Dubai.

For many residents, an evening out at Rock Bottom Café (taxi: Ramee Rose Hotel, +971 55 200 9333) is a rite of passage. Its Barsha Heights venue has a live band and nightly DJs spinning club music.

The Irish Village

THE NIGHTLIFE If you like your entertainment a little more outlandish, head to Cirque le Soir (taxi: Fairmont Dubai, +971 50 995 5400). The emirate's offshoot of the London A-list haunt is open Monday to Friday from 10.30pm to 3am, featuring performances from a beautifully bizarre cast of contortionists, stiltwalkers and fire-eaters, alongside some of the city's best DJs. If a secret hideaway is more your style, you'll feel right at home at Little Black Door (+971 55 623 1620), which is tucked away on the ground floor of Conrad Dubai. You’ll have no problem spotting it as the ‘little black door’ is actually huge.

All you need to do is knock to enter and wait for it to swing open. Once inside, you’ll find a classy, club-

style lounge complete with crystal chandeliers hanging from leatherclad ceilings, opulent furnishings and distressed-brick walls. The resident DJs play neo-soul and classic jazz.

Open daily from 7.30pm to 3am.

SCENIC FOR SUNDOWNERS As the sun dips below the horizon, unwind with a drink in hand at these venues with a view.

Looking for a healthy way to start the evening? French Mediterranean café LEVEE (taxi: La Mer, +971 4 380 2000), overlooking the beach in Jumeirah, has a cool coffee and juice mixology bar serving everything from freshly mocktails to homemade lemonade, as well as aromatic teas and brews from French artisan coffee roasters.

For spectacular vistas of Madinat Jumeirah, head to Bahri Bar (taxi: Jumeirah Mina A'Salam, +971 4 432 3232), where you can reflect on the day while sipping drinks to a smooth jazz soundtrack. Open from 4pm to 2am, Saturday to Wednesday and 4pm to 3am Thursday to Friday.

Further along the waterway is folly

by Nick & Scott (taxi: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, +971 4 430 8535). The venue boasts two outdoor terrace bars that are increasingly popular among the city’s social set. The bar is open daily from noon until late.

Another prime spot is Observatory Bar & Grill (taxi: Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, +971 4 319 4000).

Located on the 52nd floor of the hotel, it offers awesome views of Dubai

LEVEE

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FIVE OF THE BEST

ROOFTOP TERRACES Drink in the views at these elevated nightspots dotted across the city

2. For an Arabian style experience, visit The Rooftop & Sports Lounge atop the Arabian Court at One&Only Royal Mirage (+971 4 399 9999). Under a canopy of stars, sink into the majlis style cushioned seating around the central dome and sip cocktails until late. Open daily from 5pm to 2am, with live music on selected evenings.

1. For drinks shaken and stirred, head to the Polynesian-inspired LANI Rooftop Lounge (taxi: Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection Hotels, +971 4 810 9421), which has a fun yet chilled out vibe.

Unwind to the downtempo beats as you size-up the thrilling theme park rides from afar.

4. Situated on the 16th floor of the fashion-inspired FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai, The Penthouse (taxi: FIVE Palm Jumeirah, +971 4 455 9999), spotlights some of the best DJs and dance acts around at its al fresco club night every Thursday. The venue boasts one of the most Instagrammable views in Dubai. Open daily, call for timings.

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3. Position yourself around the infinity pool at this popular chill-out lounge in Dubai Marina, which offers halfprice selected house and signature drinks every day from 6pm to 8pm.

Shades (taxi: Address Dubai Marina, +971 4 436 7777) is open daily from 9am to 1am.

5. For a dash of Latin hospitality, Cu-ba (taxi: Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, +971 4 230 8555) serves delicious tapas and cocktails against a stunning backdrop of twinkling city lights.

Private cabanas are available for parties and special celebrations.

THE NIGHTLIFE Trader Vic’s JBR

Marina and Palm Jumeirah and the bar is open daily from noon to 1am.

Moving downtown, Treehouse (taxi: Taj Dubai, +971 4 438 3100), is known for its views of the city skyline towards Burj Khalifa. Make yourself comfortable as, after dark, this trendy open-air lounge comes to life with 'light deep' house music played by resident DJ Taylor. Open daily from 6pm to 2am and on weekends from 6pm to 3am.

SEAFRONT SETTINGS Want to feel the sand between your toes? With the JBR skyline as its backdrop and views of Palm Jumeirah, Bliss Lounge (taxi: Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, +971 4 315 3886) is a chi-chi little locale frequented by the ‘in’ crowd seeking top DJ action, custom cocktails and chilled beach vibes.

Open daily from 12.30pm to 3am.

So photogenic you’ll feel like you’re starring in a magazine shoot, The Jetty Lounge (taxi: One&Only Royal Mirage, +971 4 399 9999) rocks white

linen style with beautifully landscaped surroundings. Bag a cabana on the beach. Open daily from 2pm to 2am.

Further along the coast, Key West Bar & Grill at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa (taxi: Pearl Jumeira, +971 4 376 6000) opens early every evening for aperitivo hour, with boutique beverages from the Caribbean and Latin America (5-11pm).

CASUAL HANGOUTS If you're tickled by novelty cocktail cups, Trader Vic’s JBR (taxi: Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, +971 4 318 2530), has you covered. The Tiki-themed venue, open 5pm to 3am daily, is the place to go for Mai Tais, Tiki Puka Pukas and JBR's bespoke Koana Puffer concoction.

Grab a seat on the outdoor terrace for views of the Arabian Gulf towards Palm Jumeirah and try to time your visit during happy hour (5-8pm daily).

With its large outdoor terrace Café Artois by Bridgewater Tavern (taxi: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, +971 4 414 6755), is ideal for a chilled afternoon in

the sun, with tasty barbecue food and a huge craft hop selection to enjoy.

Open from 4pm Sunday to Thursday and from noon on Friday and Saturday.

A long copper bar, dark wood floors and exposed stonework shipped all the way from Scotland lend Copper Dog (taxi: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach, +971 4 559 5355) a cosy country atmosphere just like the original Scottish Highlands pub.

Choose from a broad menu of drams, craft hops and pub grub enjoyed to live music. It’s also a nice spot for a quick nightcap. Open from 5pm to 2am Sunday to Thursday and from 10am to 2am Friday and Saturday.

OH WHAT A NIGHT Ladies' nights are a 'thing' in the emirates and Dubai is dame crazy when it comes to free beverages for womankind. On Tuesday evenings, you'll find lots of venues offering special promotions for a female-only clientele. Just Fine Cuts at STK JBR

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THREE CRACKING

KARAOKE VENUES

Conquer your nerves and channel your inner music star by taking to the stage and impressing the crowd at these top karaoke venues…

1. Book in for dinner and an evening of fun at Maiden Shanghai restaurant (taxi: FIVE Palm Jumeirah, +971 4 455 9989). This stylish venue, inspired by 1930s Shanghai, has recently launched a multi-language karaoke room. Fully soundproofed, groups of up to 15 can sing along to their favourite songs. If your performance bombs, you can always walk it off on the outdoor terrace.

(taxi: Rixos Premium Dubai, +971 4 323 0061) offers three complimentary drinks every Tuesday from 7pm to 1am, along with a set menu of yummy food (costing from Dhs199).

Over in DIFC, Dazzle at Dusty’s at Dusty’s Dubai (taxi: Dusty’s Dubai, Al Fattan Currency House, +971 4 354 5435) offers ladies four free drinks when ordering a dish (you'll get 50 percent off a main course) from 6pm.

For Asian flair, the Hello KItty Night at Mr Miyagi's (taxi: Media One Hotel, +971 4 420 7489) offers three dishes paired with three drinks for Dhs99, from 5pm.

Those who want to hop between venues should head to The Square at City Walk, which hosts the Ultimate Ladies Night every Wednesday, with three venues – Toro + Ko, LIMA Dubai

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2. Imported from London, Lucky Voice Dubai (taxi: Grand Millennium Hotel, +971 4 429 9999) is a top spot for testing your rap skills, singing soft-rock anthems or belting out cheesy pop tunes to your heart’s content. Eleven private pods allow groups of six to 18 people to warble away without (much) fear of embarrassment, while the 15,000-song playlist means you’re guaranteed to find the perfect tune for you.

3. Get karaoke’d away at this fun

and Galvin Dubai – offering fab promotions, entertainment, guest DJs, and unlimited sparkling drinks.

Seafire Steakhouse & Bar (taxi: Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, +971 4 426 2626).

The top floor of all-American gastropub Cook Hall is the setting every Saturday from noon for the Man Cave experience (taxi: The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City, +971 4 435 5577). Pull your own craft brew, score with FIFA on the Playstation 4, shoot a game or pool and feast on comfort food and bottomless beverages for Dhs120 for three bottled drinks and two snacks.

ONE FOR THE BOYS Guys can bond over the male equivalent of a gossipy girls’ night out thanks to these dedicated evenings out. Tuesdays are reserved for ‘bromance’ at Grapeskin at City Walk (taxi: La Ville Hotel & Suites CITY WALK, Dubai, Autograph Collection, +971 54 309 5948) with its Gents Night ideal for bites and banter. Enjoy two glasses of grape or hops from 8-10pm, plus a meaty charcuterie platter. On Wednesdays from 8.30pm, guests can enjoy a signature cocktail on arrival followed by a protein-rich sharing menu at the gentlemen's evening at

and vibrant Asian inspired venue, Mr Miyagi's Dubai (taxi: Media One, +971 4 420 7489), which offers karaoke five nights a week (Tuesdays to Saturdays). We rate the Hello Kitty Night on Tuesdays from 5pm, which offers three courses and three free drinks for women for Dhs99. Simply pick your song and sing it out to the supportive crowd.

BEACH CLUBS If the hot summer weather doesn't faze you, you'll be pleased to learn that Dubai's beach club game holds strong throughout the summer months.

Along the Palm Jumeirah crescent you’ll find El Chiringuito Dubai (taxi:

THE NIGHTLIFE Rixos The Palm Dubai, +971 4 277 9180).

Reserve a Bali-inspired sun bed, sit back and sip your drink while snapping a selfie at this cool Ibizan beach club import. On Fridays, you can soak up the good vibes on the beach terrace by the water's edge, and join the musical Nomad ceremonies after the sun sets. Open from 10am to 5.30pm Sunday to Thursday, 10am to midnight Wednesday to Friday, and 10am to 8pm on Saturday. Closed on Monday. Check for summer timings.

A beach club meets open-air party, Zero Gravity (taxi: Skydive Dubai, +971 4 399 0009) attracts big name acts like Paul Van Dyk and Mark Ronson. On Thursdays, the Stoli Social Club Evening Brunch, from 8-11pm, transforms the venue into a fairground of fun

where you can play video arcade games, ping pong, air hockey, and giant Jenga, among other classics.

Dhs310 per player, with all food and drinks included. The venue is staying open throughout the summer.

JUMPING SUPERCLUBS Glow sticks at the ready. Dubai’s big, bigger, biggest mentality has made it to the dance floor with a slew of funky clubs and mega dance venues to keep you going all night long. For a slice of New York chic, head to supperclub 1OAK DXB (taxi: JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, +971 52 881 8888). Born from the namesake 'One Of A Kind', its sister venues in venues in New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles are a favourite celebrity

haunt. Open from 11pm to 3am on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Alternatively, Soho Garden (taxi: Meydan Racecourse Grandstand, +971 56 822 2559), captures the vibe of London’s Soho, with a pool area and four bars to lean on.

Open daily from 7pm until late.

For a wild time, head to Inner City Zoo nightclub in JBR (taxi: Rixos Premium Dubai, +971 58 867 5357).

The place has a real buzz about it with resident DJs Emma Love and Henry X taking to the decks Monday to Friday, bringing a blend of house and R&B. For old school jams, the ‘Disco Made Me Do It' bash on Fridays is solid fun, with free drinks for ladies from 11pm to 2am. Open from Monday to Friday from 11pm to 3am.

Soho Garden

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IN THE FRAME

From its atmospheric souks to its modern marvels, Dubai is a dream destination for photography fans, with something new to snap at every turn. In each issue, we invite a keen photographer to share one of their favourite pictures

ADD SOME SPICE

From precious red saffron to bright yellow turmeric root and foodie favourite za'atar, Dubai’s Spice Souk in Deira will take you on a sensory journey. Wander through the labyrinthine marketplace and let the sights, sounds and aromas draw you in, bringing Dubai’s centuriesold trading past to life. This shot by Nikhita Singhal provides a snapshot of its vibrant offering.

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#BRUNCH068

BRUNCH WITH A LICENSE TO GRILL

When the world is not enough, unleash your inner Bond and experience the high life at the brunch. With a license to grill, this exciting brunch will satisfy even the most discerning palate.

Live another day while sipping on signature beverages and taking in Dubai’s daring views from the world’s tallest 5-star hotel.

Enter the Vault for the GoldenEye after-party, where beverages are shaken, not stirred.

Every Friday from 1pm to 4pm, starting from AED 495 ‘For Your Eyes Only’ JW Marriott Marquis Dubai | Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay T +971 4 414 3000 | jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com JW Marriott Marquis Dubai I JWDubaiMarquis I Prime68DXB